Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Ashwini A, Deepa Chirayath and Chetan Kumar GK

Abstract:
Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is considered to be the most common skin hypersensitivity disorder of cats in geographical regions where fleas are endemic. The clinical signs and feline cutaneous reaction patterns observed in flea allergic cats are not pathognomonic for FAD and may also occur in other ectoparasitic infestations or other allergic dermatologic disorders (Scott, 2001). Hence, there is a need for diagnostic test, which can establish whether cats have allergic sensitization to fleas and to assist clinicians in ruling in or ruling out FAD as a possible aetiology of pruritus and other dermatologic signs in cats. Intradermal skin test (IDST) using flea allergenic extract as test antigen, histamine as positive control and saline as negative control is the principal test in diagnosing FAD. This study also helps to evolve a better diagnostic and therapeutic protocol for dermatologic disorders especially of FAD in cats.