TY - BOOK AU - Umair Tariq (2008-VA-233) AU - Prof. Dr. Azhar Maqbool AU - Dr. Syed Saleem Ahmad ED - TI - Taxonomy And Control Of Flea Infestation In Cats At Lahore U1 - 2253-T PY - 2015/// KW - Department of Parasitology N1 - INTRODUCTION Fleas play an important role in causing clinical skin disorders and diseases transmission in man and pets animals (Rust & Dryden, 1997). Fleas are one of the most important ectoparasites with more than 2,000 species worldwide affecting mammals, birds, and reptiles (Hsu, 2003). In some locations, fleas represent over 50% of all the dermatological cases presented to small animal clinics. Most are limited to hosts with nests as this can provide conditions for the completion of their life cycle (Linardi & de Avelar, 2014). While fleas on pets are generally considered a nuisance that may cause some dermatologic problems, they are also responsible for the transmission of several important diseases in humans and animals (Dryden & Rust, 1994). They have been involved in transmission of cat scratch disease (Bartonella henselae) (Chomel et al., 2006; Comer et al., 2001), Rickettsia typhi (Murine thyphus), Rickettsia felis (Finkelstein et al., 2002; Rolain et al., 2005), and also serve as the intermediate host for the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum (Rust & Dryden, 1997) and several trypanosomatids (Coutinho & Linardi, 2007). The term ‘‘cat flea,’’ which is the approved common name for Ctenocephalides felis felis (C. f felis), can occasionally cause confusion. When it appears in print, it refers to the specific flea genus and species and not to fleas recovered from cats. There are four recognized subspecies of C. felis throughout the world: Ctenocephalides felis damarensis and C. felis strongylus occur primarily in East Africa, C felis orientis occurs in India and Australia, and the widespread C. f felis occurs in all continents except Antarctica and is the only subspecies that occurs in North America (Rust & Dryden, 1997). The cat flea, C. felis, is a clinically important parasite of domestic pets, being responsible for the production of allergic dermatitis, serving as the vector of Introduction 2 various bacterial pathogens, and being the intermediate host for filarid and cestode parasites. Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common dermatologic disease of dogs and a major cause of feline miliary dermatitis (Dryden & Rust, 1994; Rust & Dryden, 1997). Clinical features vary from asymptomatic to severe hypersensitivity reactions with restlessness, alopecia from scratching and biting resulting in a pruritic papular dermatitis. Vacuuming of carpets, furniture cushions, rugs, or other substrata, with a vacuum machine containing a ‘‘beater bar,’’ will remove many of the flea eggs and larvae. In addition, cocooned pupae at the upper levels of the carpet can also be affected. The vibration also stimulates adult fleas to emerge from their cocoons so that they can be collected in the vacuum machine. Therefore frequent vacuuming, during a flea infestation, can reduce the overall flea burden in the home. It should be ensured that vacuum bags are disposed of properly, to prevent recolonization of the home with flea stages previously removed by vacuuming. Because outdoor development of immature flea life stages is limited to shaded areas, altering outdoor environments to eliminate such habitats can effectively reduce flea populations. Because urban wildlife, such as opossums, raccoons, and foxes, are good hosts for cat fleas, pet owners should avoid encouraging visitations by wildlife, which will affect flea and tick control (see later discussion). Treatment of indoor and outdoor environments with insecticides requires knowledge of what to use and where to use it. For this reason, it is suggested that pet owners consult with a licensed pest control specialist for such applications (Angelbeck-Schulze et al., 2014; Perrins & Hendricks, 2007). In line with increasing urbanization over the last few decades, flea species that infest pets have become household pests. Thus, and for reasons of animal and human welfare, the control of fleas is of great importance worldwide. Despite the increase in the number of products available and Introduction 3 their use, flea infestation of cats and dogs is still widespread in Europe and on other continents, whereas resistance of these insects against many chemicals has been detected (El-Gazzar et al., 1986). Cat fleas are the most important ectoparasite of cats and dogs worldwide. During the past ten years, topical and oral applications of insecticides such as fipronil, imidacloprid, lufenuron and, most recently, selamectin have revolutionized cat-flea control. Recent studies show that these therapies eliminate the need to treat indoor and outdoor environments, and their use markedly reduces the severity and prevalence of flea allergic dermatitis. Surveys have yet to reveal the development of insecticide resistance to these chemical compounds. Extending the longevity of these effective host-targeted therapies should be a major goal of the veterinary community (Rust, 2005) ER -