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An investigation on the influence of feline flea allergy on the fecundity of the cat flea
Author(s) -
McDonald B.J.,
Foil C.S.,
Foil L.D.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3164.1998.00090.x
Subject(s) - flea , cats , fecundity , biology , allergic dermatitis , veterinary medicine , zoology , toxicology , medicine , immunology , population , environmental health
Survival, egg production and egg viability of fleas allowed to feed on eight flea‐allergic and six flea‐naive cats were compared. Fifty fleas, in feeding cages or free roaming, were allowed to feed on the cats. Flea‐allergic cats removed significantly more free‐roaming fleas than did flea‐naive cats. Female fleas produced fewer eggs on flea‐allergic cats than on flea‐naive cats regardless of feeding method. There was no significant difference in egg viability between the two groups. The data suggest that flea‐allergic cats efficiently removed fleas by grooming and that they also produce unknown factor(s) that affect the fecundity of fleas.