Overview

Fleas represent one of the most important external parasites. At the moment there are more than 2000 described species and subspecies throughout the world.

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Taxonomy

In C. felis there are four recognized subspecies throughout the world, all of which are primarily parasites of carnivores.

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Origin and Distribution

C. felis and C. canis are the two most important flea species of companion animals worldwide. Their pattern of distribution was found by different working groups.

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Epidemiology

Changing patterns in man’s ecosystems caused by man have led among other things to a spreading of arthropod-related zoonoses in impoverished as well as in industrial countries. For the flea, its biology makes it a very efficacious vector of many pathogens. The reasons that the cat flea is such an extremely successful and ubiquitous parasite are the wide range of possible hosts and its status as a rather permanent parasite.

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Economic Importance

Flea infestation is the most common ectoparasitic condition of dogs and cats. This wide distribution and the fact that fleas are major nuisance, a matter of public health and the source of flea allergic dermatitis (FAD), make control definitely necessary.

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Veterinary and Medical Importance

Veterinary and medical importance of fleas is mainly determined by their capability of disease transmission.
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