ABSTRACT
This chapter presents information on the medical importance, geographic distribution, and biological aspects of fleas such as cat fleas, dog fleas, northern rat flea, and sand fleas and provides recommended procedures for treatment of fleas bite. Fleas are small, laterally flattened, wingless insects (see box) that are of great importance as vectors of disease in many parts of the world. The flea-bite lesion initially is a punctate hemorrhagic area representing the site of probing by the insect and may have a center elevated into a papule, vesicle, or even a bulla. There are several methods by which fleas transmit plague. Probably the most important method of infection occurs when fleas ingest plague bacilli along with host (rodent) blood. Dog or cat flea bites produce reddening, papules, and itching but generally require no specialized medical treatment. Scratching of flea bites may produce secondary infection and should be avoided. An antiseptic or antibiotic ointment may be indicated.
