Fleas Ctenocephalides Felis: Most commonly seen fleas in household cats and dogs. Principle host of the cats but also seen infesting dogs and other mammals. Fleas go through 4 life cycle phases egg, larva, pupa and adult. It's is estimated that a female lays somewhere between 5000 to 8000 eggs during her life. The fleas need to feed on a blood meal before they start producing eggs. The eggs develop to larvae in around three to six weeks. The larvae are negatively phototrophic and hide from the light unto the ground substrates. They again moult to pupae by spinning a Coccon and waiting for suitable environmental conditions and for a suitable host. The adult fleas are capable of detecting the CO2 and temperature from the hosts and this helps in lodging of the fleas to the hosts body. Clinical signs and symptoms develop due to allergic reactions towards the substances present in the fleas saliva (Flea allergy dermatitis - FAD). Morphological differentiation between C. felis and C. canis: a. The first spine of genal comb of C. felis is almost the same length as the second, in C. canis is almost half the length. b. Head of C. felis is more rounder and longer than that of C. canis. c. C. felis - tibiae of all 6 legs have 7 to 8 bristles C. canis - tibiae of all 6 legs have 4 to 5 bristles. To effectively control fleas, both the fleas on the animalss as well as the fleas and eggs in the surroundings have to treated. Adulticides along with insect development inhibitors (Lufeneuron) and insect growth regulators (Methoprene) have been used effectively to control flea population. Spot on (Imidacloprid, fipronil, Methoprene) solutions are more effective alternative in pets rather than the commercial available sprays and dips. #vetpath #vetpathology #vetclinpath #vetclinicalpathology #vetlabdiagnostic #veterinarypath #veterinaryclinicalpathology #veterinarypathology #veterinaryparapathologist #vetdermatology #veterinarydermatology #veterinaryentomology #vetlaboratory #vetdiagnostics #vetparasitology #veterinaryparasitology #vetparasite #flea #catflea #dogflea #ctenocephalidesfelis #externalparasites #fleaallergy #fleaallergydermatitis #wetmount #parasites https://www.instagram.com/drdashvetpath/p/BvyuuHyhN9f/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mnofp94i184l