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| Fig. 34.6 Flea bites. Papulovesicular lesions commonly found near the exposed ankles of women. |
Only the adult flea is a parasitic bloodsucker, while the immature, wormlike, legless, eyeless larvae scavenge for food for the next 1 to 6 months before pupating. The adult fleas are small, approximately 3 mm in size, and streamlined with no neck or waist. They are laterally compressed, taller than broad. Bristles, combs, and claws are used to cling to their host and move briskly through the hair. They are wingless but have powerful rear legs to reach the ankles of their prospective hosts (Fig. 34-6).
Clinical symptoms in pets often vary tremendously, according to their immunologic status. The asymptomatic pet without pruritus often is immunologically tolerant of fleas and, therefore, will have a large number of fleas and flea dirt (flea feces with blood) easily found on the coat. On the other hand, on the severely affected pet with severe pruritus, the organisms may be sparse to absent.
Steen CJ, Carbonaro PA, Schwarz RA: Arthropods in dermatology,
J Am Acad Dermatol 50:819–842, 2004.
