Dermatology - Fleas Flashcards by Jessica Carson

What is the most commonly identified flea on the dog and cat?

Ctenocephalides felis

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Aside of Ctenocephalides felis, what other flea species can be found in some geographical regions of North America?

Ctenocephalides canis, Pulex simulans, and Echidnophaga gallinacea

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What is the life cycle of Ctenocephalides felis?

eggs, 3 larval stages, pupa, adult

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Are fleas host specific?

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What is key for flea development?

microenvironment - temperature and humidity deep in a pile carpet may support survival

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What disease(conditions) are caused by fleas?

mechanical irritation, anemia, they are vectors of disease, dermatological conditions, and flea allergies

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What diseases are fleas carriers for?

Diplidium caninum, Yersinia pestis, FeLV (potentially), Hemobartonella

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What dermatological lesions do fleas cause?

skin disease and mild-moderate pruritus caused by bitiing of the flea

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What is the philosophy for controlling fleas?

Must control the flea population on the pet AND in the environment, all pets in the household should be treated, and the least toxic insecticides (that will work) should be used

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What are the important properties of insecticides?

Cost, availability to the veterinarian or pet owner, esthetics to the owner, efficacy, ease of application to the pet or in the environment, and safety

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What are the inert insecticides?

Fine powders, diatamacious earth, and borates

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How do fine powders work?

they breech the insect’s exoskeleton by chafing

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What is the risk with using diatamacious earth?

it can become aerosolized and cause pulmonary disease in humans

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How do borates work in flea infestations?

They are applied to the environment and act as dessicants (drying agents) and can also cause intestinal poisons if ingested

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What botanicals can be used for flea control?

Pyrethrins, synthetics pyrethrins, rotenone, and citrus derivatives

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What organochlorines is used for flea control?

Lindane

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What organophosphate is recommended as an environmental spray for flea control?

Malathion

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What insecticide works as a neurotoxin available as a topical pour on and what species is it approved for?

Imidocloprid (Advantage and Advantage-Multi) for use in dogs and cats over 4 months of age

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What type of insecticide is K9advantix?

Imidocloprid combined with 44% permethrin - note: not labeled for cats

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What is the generic name for Capstar and what does it target?

Nitenpyram - it is an orally administed insecticide that is highly affected in killing adult feeding fleas - death occurs within a few hours

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What animals can be given Capstar?

Dogs and cats 4 weeks or older and at least 2 pounds

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What is the generic name for Frontline, what type of insecticide is it and how does it work?

Fipronil, a phenylpyrazole insecticide, it acts as a neurotoxin

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How is Frontline given and to what animals?

It is available as a topical spray for dogs and cats down to 8 weeks of age

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What is Frontline Plus made out of?

Fipronil in combination with methoprene

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What is the generic name for Revolution, how does it work, and how is it used?

Selamectin - it is a neurotoxin recommended as a monthly topical pour on insecticide

Aside from fleas, what is Selamectin labeled for use against?

scabies, ear mites, internal parasites, and for tick control

What drugs are in Advantage Multi?

Imidocloprid and moxidectin

What is the primary role for moxidectin in Advantage Multi?

for heartworm control

What is ProMeris made out of?

Metaflumazone and amitraz

How does ProMeris work?

It is a neurotoxin that blocks sodium influx to disrupt feeding, incoordination, paralysis, and death of the flea

Can you use ProMeris in the US?

No, the product was discontinued in 2011

What is the generic name of Vectra and how does it work?

Dinotefuran - a 3rd generation neonicoinoid that kills fleas within 6 hours

What is the generic name of Comfortis?

Spinosad

How does Comfortis work?

it is a neurotoxin that activates nicotinic Ach receptors

When should you avoid using Comfortis?

When you are doing hypoallergenic diet trials because it is beef flavored

How effective is Comfortis?

It begins to kill within 30 minutes, 100% efficacy within 4 hours

What drug should you not administer concurrently with Comfortis?

Ivermectin - it can lead to toxicosis

How do isoxazoline class insecticides work?

They inhibit GABA and L-glutamate-gated chloride channels

What Isoxazoline class insecticides (brand name) are used for flea control (4)?

Nexgard, Bravecto, Simparica, Credelio

What is the generic name of Nexgard?

Afloxalaner

How is Nexgard given?

by mouth once monthly

Aside from fleas, what else is Nexgard effective for?

demodicosis

What is the generic name of Bravecto?

Fluralaner

How is bravecto given?

by mouth every three months

What is Bravecto labeled against?

flea and tick control

How effective is Bravecto?

Reportedly kills >90% of fleas within 4 hours, 100% within 12 hours

Aside from fleas and ticks, what else is Bravecto effective against?

canine demodicosis

What is the generic name of Simparica?

Sarolaner

How is Simparica given?

by mouth monthly

What side effects are associated with Simparica?

vomiting and diarrhea - may cause tremors, decreased conscious proprioceptors, ataxia, absent menace reflex, or seizures

What is the generic name of Credelio?

Lotilaner

How is Credelio given?

by mouth monthly

What is Credelio labeled against?

fleas and ticks

Aside from insecticides, what kind of drugs can be used to control fleas?

Juvenile hormone analogs and chitin synthesis inhibitors

How do juvenile hormone analogs work?

they interfere with development of larval stages by mimicking natural growth hormones

What are the two juvenile hormone analogs mentioned in class?

Methoprene and Pyriproxyfen

How does Methoprene present (like what types)?

rinses, sparys, collars, household sprays/foggers, and topical pour-on (with fipronil)

Why is Methoprene not useful outdoors?

because it is inactivated by UV radiation

How is Pyriproxyfen available?

with permethrin in a spray for use on adult dogs and a fogger or spray for household treatment (Knockout)

Can Pyriproxyfen be used outside?

Yes, it is stable in UV light

How do chitin synthesis inhibitors work?

They interfere with chitin synthesis by the insect, which interferes with the development of the exoskeleton

What (brand name) drugs are chitin synthesis inhibitors?

Program and Sentinel

What is the generic name of Program and Sentinel?

Lufeneron

How can Program and Sentinel be given?

in tablet form for dogs and cats (monthly) or a 6-month injectible for cats

How effective is Program and Sentinel?

If used alone for flea control in the face of flea infestation, it will take 12-16 weeks to effectively clear the fleas from the environment

What are the different types of delivery systems for flea control?

powders, sprays, shampoos, rinses, collars, foggers, binding polymers, pour-ons, and parenteral administration (oral, injectable)

Which delivery systems are difficult to apply on cats?

rinses and shampoos

What type of insecticide preparation is among the safest?

Microencapsulated pyrethrins

What is a disadvantage to capstar and Comfortis?

It has no residual activity - it works the one time to get rid of fleas but that is about it

Why is the integrated (environment and pet) approach strongly recommended in flea control?

because resistance has been observed or highly suspected with each of these products

What physical method can be used for flea control?

flea combs

What home environmental control methods can be used?

Mechanical removal (vacuuming, sweeping, steam cleaning), application of insecticides, foggers, professional exterminators, insecticide/growth regulator sprays, topical sodium polyborate

What outside environmental control can be used to get rid of fleas?

Open areas do not need treatment, treat dog house like home, treat mats and such on a regular basis, remove loose organic debris

What acceptable insecticide can be used outside objects?

Sevin powder

What can be done for kittens and puppies that are less than 8 weeks of age?

Use flea comb multiple times daily, citrus-derivative insecticide, apply methoprene topically, change bedding/clean housing, if nursing treat the mother the same way

What is the pathogenesis of flea allergy dermatitis?

1. Fleas inject saliva into the skin while feeding secreting histamine-like compounds, haptens, and antigens 2. Allergic reactions follow four phases in experimental studies

What do haptens do?

they combine with collagen proteins to form potent antigenic compounds

What are the four phases of allergic reactions in flea allergy patients?

1. Delayed hypersensitivity mediated by T lymphocytes 2. Immediate and delayed hypersensitivity 3. A period of immediate hypersensitivity only 4. Anergy - spontaneous clinical hyposensitization

What clinical features are associated with flea allergy dermatitis?

Severe pruritus, papules, erythema, crusts, excoriations, alopecia, and in some cases secondary pyoderma

Where are lesions due to flea allergy dermatitis typically distributed?

dorsal lumbar area, over the base of the tail, posterior and lateral aspects of the rear legs, and ventral abdomen

True or False: In patients with flea allergy dermatitis, fleas will always be present.

False, they may not be present at the time

The distribution of flea allergy dermatitis lesions are almost _________.

pathognomonic

What are some ways to diagnose flea allergy dermatitis?

clinical features, presence of fleas or flea dirt, ID skin testing, or serologic testing

What does a negative test mean for ID skin testing?

a negative test does not rule it out because it only detects type I hypersensitivities and flea allergy dermatitis causes both type I and IV hypersensitivity reactions

What are the recommended therapies for flea allergy dermatitis?

flea control, hyposensitization, and/or symptomatic control with corticosteroids

What are corticosteroids used for during flea allergy therapy?

to decrease pruritus and associated self mutilation

What is in simparica trio and what does it kill?

sarolaner, moxidectin, and pytrantel | fleas, ticks, heartworm, intestinal parasites

What is in revolution plus?

selamectin and sarolaner

What is in trifexis?

spinosad + milbemycin