Cat flea infestation on ruminants: clinical evaluation, control, and tick fever agents DNA investigation

Abstract Ectoparasites in ruminants are common in tropical rearing systems and normally associated with tick and fly infestations. Although cat fleas it can occur, records of ruminant infestation by are unusual. The present study describes two different cases of flea infestation at the same farm in the Brazilian southeast region, in different periods and different species, kids and calves. In both cases, domestic feral cats and dogs infested by Ctenocephalides felis felis had access to the animal’s facility. Kids and calves presented high flea burden that caused dermatitis, stress, discomfort, irritation, anemia, and weight gain reduction. The packed cell volume of the calves was performed and due to history of tick fever in the farm an investigation of tick fever agents DNA in the fleas was done, to verity possible mechanical transmission through flea bite. For flea control, on both situations, the animal’s treatment with deltamethrin plus environment cleaning and spraying insecticide showed success. Four of eight calves presented anemia (packed cell volume < 24%). The tick fever agents DNA was not diagnosed. The right parasite identification, election of methods, drugs and environment management are necessary to a satisfactory outcome and parasite control.