Topic 6 Fleas & Lice

Fleas are the insects forming the order Siphonaptera. They are wingless, with mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. Fleas are external parasites, living by hematophagy off the blood of mammals and birds.

* Cats and dogs are the main host, human may also be affected by fleas bite. 
* Each bite produce a small, hard, red spot with a noticeable puncture wound. 
* Female flea only mate once but she can lay 25 eggs a day and produce several hundred eggs during    her life. 

YOU SHOULD KNOW :
- They can live for as few as 13 days or as long as 12 months.
- During that time, can produce millions of offspring.
- Though there are many species of fleas, the one that most often affects both dogs and cats in North     America is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis.

  



   (LIFE CYCLE)


DISEASE THAT CARRY BY FLEAS:-
1. Parasitic dermatitis is an allergic reaction that is caused by a pet's hypersensitivity to substances in     flea saliva.
2. Bartonella strains are bacterial parasites that are transmitted through flea or tick bites. Bartonella         can infect humans, dogs, cats and rodents.
3. The most notable flea is xynopsylla which carry Yersinia pestis.

What is Lice? ?

• The head louse (plural, lice) is scientifically known as Pediculus humanus capitis, Infestation with head lice is medically known as Pediculosis capitis.
• Head lice have no wings, so they cannot fly. They have six legs with claws at the ends that is how they attach themselves to hair.
• Head lice infestations can happen to anyone, but they are a particular concern for school-age children. Children who live in crowded conditions may have more of a problem with head lice.  
• It is important to emphasize that poor hygiene, skipped baths or showers. 
• The only way head lice spread from one person to another is by direct head-to-head contact or by the sharing of hats, caps, hair ties, scarves, or any personal item such as combs. 

SEVERAL WAYS TO CONTROL LICE. . .

# Personal hygine.
# Avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play and other activities at home, school, camp.
# Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms.
# Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact      with an infested person.
# Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

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