Does hair coat length affect flea infestation in naturally infested dogs?

Abstract

The Siphonaptera are parasitic insects of endothermic animals and Ctenocephalides felis and Pulex irritans are important parasites of dogs. This study evaluated the effect of hair coat length and time of year on the population size of C. felis and P. irritans in naturally infested dogs. Fleas were collected from 14 dogs on a monthly basis for a year (February 2015 to January 2016) at a rural property in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The dogs were divided into two groups based on hair coat length: short coat (coat length < 5.0 cm, n= 7) and long coat (coat length > 5.0 cm, n= 7). In total, 2057 fleas were collected, 1541 of which were C. felis (74.91%) and 516 were P. irritans (25.08%). The number of C. felis and P. irritans individuals was significantly affected by hair coat length and time of year. The variation in flea numbers over the study months was higher in long-coated than in short-coated dogs for the two flea species and flea numbers increased with increasing mean monthly temperatures. The results provide a better understanding of behavioral aspects of flea communities in dogs and may help develop control strategies targeting these parasites.Keywords: Ctenocephalides felis, Pulex irritans, flea, dog, behavior. ResumoSifonápteros são insetos parasitos de animais endotérmicos e Ctenocephalides felis e Pulex irritans são importantes parasitos dos cães. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da altura da pelagem de cães sobre as espécies de pulgas em diferentes meses do ano. Foram coletadas mensalmente, durante um ano, 10 a 15 pulgas em 14 cães de uma propriedade rural no município de Bagé, RS, Brasil. Os cães foram divididos em dois grupos: "pelo curto" e "pelo longo", com 07 cães em cada grupo, com altura da pelagem inferior e superior a 5 cm, respectivamente. Coletou-se 2.057 pulgas, 1.541 (74,91%) C. felis e 516 (25,08%) P. irritans. O número de indivíduos de C. felis e de P. irritans foi influenciado significativamente, pelo comprimento do pelo dos animais e pelos diferentes meses do ano. Houve maior variação do número de indivíduos das duas espécies, durante os meses, em cães de pelos longos e a curva de aumento populacional acompanhou o aumento das temperaturas médias mensais. Os resultados são importantes para o melhor conhecimento de aspectos comportamentais de comunidades de pulgas em cães e para o planejamento de estratégias de controle desses parasitos.

EFFECT OF EL NIÑO PHENOMENON ON THE SEASONALITY OF Pulicidae (Siphonaptera) IN DOGS IN A RURAL AREA OF SOUTHERN BRAZIL

“…The Pulicidae may be changing its habits of seeking the host only for feeding (LINARDI, 2011), as the canine host also provides protection against abiotic conditions. In another study (SILVA et al, 2016), our research group, has shown the preference of P. irritans for long-haired dogs, confirming a trend for this flea to remain in the dogs, thus changing their eating behavior. Furthermore, the increase of P. irritans population during periods when the population of C. felis decreased may indicate that P. irritans is host-opportunistic and occupies a niche left by the hostspecific C. felis, when the latter species has its population smaller due to unfavorable abiotic conditions.…”

Disorder predispositions and protections of Labrador Retrievers in the UK

“…Furthermore, it is likely that many owners buy anti-parasitic treatments over the counter, so it is not clear how accurately veterinary clinical data represents the true prevalence of parasite infestation. It is unclear why Labrador Retrievers have protection to parasite infection, but it could be due to their characteristically short coat-type, which has been associated with reduced likelihood of tick infestation 89 and flea infestation 90 in dogs, perhaps due to easier removal of the parasite during grooming (by the dog or owner) or due to the increased difficulty for the parasite to attach and grip to the coat. Labrador Retrievers’ affinity to water might also help to remove external parasites, especially if they are often bathed or allowed to swim outdoors.…”

The Biology and Ecology of Cat Fleas and Advancements in Their Pest Management: A Review

“…In a similar study, dogs from a farm in Brazil were surveyed for 1 year and two species of flea collected, C. felis and P. irritans . The number of cat fleas was significantly greater on long haired dogs than on short haired dogs [ 95 ]. Of 292 cats submitted to a spay/neuter program, 60% were infested with C. felis [ 96 ].…”