SQUIRREL FLEAS: transmissible to humans or pets???

[Scooterzmom]

One of our SPCA volunteers emailed us today saying: "I have just noticed some 2 dozens red dots on my shoulder. Could those be squirrel flea bites? Are squirrel fleas transmissible to my cats and dogs?"

I'm not positive what to tell her. I was under the impression that squirrel fleas didn't bite humans but... Since I always de-flea my babies soon as I see one of them pests, I never had that problem myself.

[island rehabber]

not fleas, but mange mites I'll bet. They will jump on us but there is a medicine that will cure the bites very easily. She should see her doctor asap.

[Rhapsody]

I agree with IR --and keep in mind FLEAS are FLEAS (no matter what) and they are not named by what animal they are on.

"Squirrels Fleas"

[Starfish]

I read squirrel fleas are different than cat fleas. Can't jump like cat fleas. That said they may still attempt to bite it just won't survive off of humans.

That said, it's theorized that fleas are essentially flies that somehow evolved into bloodsuckers. So with evolution, all is possible.

If it's mites, the lady at Cushings told me she used Nix cream on the affected areas and it helped her. The pharmacist keeps it behind the counter but no prescription needed. However, when I spoke to a pharmacist, he said he wasn't aware of animal to human transmission of mites. I assured him a rehabber told me it happened to her and she used Nix. It's like $25/tube.

Note: reason for my conversation with pharmacist was because I wanted to buy some to have on hand

[Starfish]

http://crawford.tardigrade.net/bugs/BugofMonth25.html

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7419.html

http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides...-tick-overview

http://medent.usyd.edu.au/photos/insect%20photos.htm

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea

You could try calling Jo-Ellen at Cushings given she's dealt with mites before.

[Scooterzmom]

Great info...

Once again, 'puter troubles but hey! I AM GRATEFUL GUYS!!!!!

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

From my parasitology notes:

Ctenocephalides felis and C. canis are the cat and dog fleas respectively. Fleas aren't host specific, but they often have a preferred host. C. felis is most common on cats and on dogs.

Then the last sentence in the notes was that fleas of rodents will also occasionally use dogs and cats as hosts. My guess is that if you have flea infested baby rodents in close contact with your pets or yourself, then your likelihood of having an issue with them is much much greater than just occasionally.

I had an indoor only cat that became infested with fleas and the dogs that go outside had none. He lived down in the room near my wildlife room and had feline leukemia. I'm guessing that the squirrel I got in a while before he died that was COVERED in fleas was probably the reason for the fleas on the cat.