How can heavy flea infestations harm animals?

Heavy flea infestations can cause significant harm to animals through several mechanisms:

• Physical Damage and Blood Loss: In cases of heavy infestation, animals may suffer severe physical damage or even death due to the cumulative effects of flea bites and the resulting loss of blood.1
• Skin Irritation: Fleas cause intense itching and severe inflammation of the skin. Some animals may also develop allergies after repeated exposure.1
• Disease Transmission: Fleas are important parasites that serve as vectors for various diseases. For example, they can transmit myxomatosis in rabbits and act as intermediate hosts for common tapeworms in dogs and cats.1
• Burrowing: Certain species, such as the jigger or chigoe flea (Tunga penetrans), burrow into the host's skin, creating cysts that cause intense itching and may lead to serious secondary infections.1