The flea bite treatment is necessary, as flea bites cause itchiness. The cat will try to relive the itchiness through licking and scratching the bites and these can get infected. The flea bite treatment may be topical or in more severe cases, drugs will be required also. The treatment will depend on the cat’s reaction to the bites. If the cat is allergic, additional treatment is needed.
Topical Treatment for Cat Flea Bites
The topical treatment is applied in most cases of flea bites. The creams and ointments recommended by vets may contain:
- Antibiotics, to prevent any potential infections
- Steroids, which will reduce the swelling and itchy sensation, so the cat will not scratch the flea bites
- Antihistamines, which may replace the steroids and will have similar effects, reducing the itchiness and inflammation
The topical treatment should be applied twice per day in all the areas that are affected by the flea bites. The cat should be prevented from licking his coat immediately after the creams are applied. If needed, the areas can be bandaged, at least for 30 minutes after the creams are applied, to allow the skin to absorb the ingredients.
There are also some shampoos and rinses that may be used in cats with flea bites. The ingredients should include oatmeal, as this is a powerful astringent.
Oral Treatment for Cats
Oral treatment is not necessary in all cats with flea bites. However, if the flea bites are severely swollen or if there are secondary infections, the vet will prescribe a few drugs as well:
- Oral antibiotics, which can reduce the inflammation but are mainly prescribed if the cat is affected by a secondary skin infection
- Antihistamines, if the cat develops an allergic reaction to the flea bites. The allergic reactions can manifest through excessive swelling, skin redness and itchiness. An intradermal testing can be performed to establish if the pet is allergic.
- Oral steroids, which can also reduce swelling and suppress the immune system that is responsible for the allergic reaction
The oral treatment will be administered for up to 2 weeks in the case of an infection.
If the cat is allergic to the saliva of the fleas, the antihistamine treatment can be continued until the fleas are eliminated from the pet and his environment.
Anaphylactic Shock from Flea Bites
A restricted number of cats may develop an anaphylactic shock to the flea bites. This means that the cat is severely allergic to the compounds of the flea saliva and will react after a bite.
The anaphylactic shock will manifest through severe swelling and this may also affect the respiratory tract, making it difficult for the pet to breathe.
The cat should receive an epinephrine shot, which will reduce the swelling immediately and stabilize the cat’s condition.
If your cat develops this reaction to other substances as well, you should test him to find all possible triggers of anaphylaxis and avoid them when possible. You should also carry an epi pen with you, so that you can administer it and prevent complications.