Small Animal Dermatology, 3rd edition

CHAPTER 15 BITING AND STINGING INSECTS 241

 Toxins released into the skin cause acute inflammation and pain.

 Hypersensitivity reactions can produce systemic symptoms including anaphylaxis

and death.

SIGNALMENT/HISTORY

Flea Bite Dermatitis and Hypersensitivity

 FBD:
No age, sex, or breed predisposition
Related to presence of significant numbers of fleas.

 FBH, dogs:
Age of onset usually between 3 and 5 years
FBH is more likely to develop (and/or develop more severely) with intermittent

(versus continuous) exposure to fleas.

 FBH, cats: no age, breed, or sex predisposition.

Spider/Fly/Mosquito/Tick Bite Dermatitis and

Hypersensitivity/Hymenoptera

 No age, breed, or sex predisposition except as related to exposure to insects.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Flea Bite Dermatitis and Hypersensitivity

 FBD, dogs and cats:
Fleas may or may not be evident based on infestation severity and self-grooming

behavior

Mild papular dermatitis and mild hair barbering

Incisors may be worn down with chronic chewing on hair coat (Figure 15.3)

Anemia in young or debilitated animals

Tapeworm infestation

Flea feces.

 FBH, dogs:
Significant pruritus of the caudal lumbosacral region (triangular patch), tail

folds, caudal thighs, and inguinum (Figures 15.4, 15.5)

Pyotraumatic dermatitis (acute moist dermatitis or “hot spot”) (Figure 15.6)

Pyotraumatic folliculitis (deep “hot spot”) of the head and neck in golden and

Labrador retrievers, and St Bernard dogs (Figure 15.7)

Fibropruritic nodules (Figure 15.8).

 FBH, cats:
Papulocrustous dermatitis (miliary dermatitis): generalized or confined to the

dorsal lumbosacral region or the head and neck (Figures 15.9, 15.10)