More about… Ectoparasites

1. More about…Ectoparasites Laboratory Procedures

2. Remember Ectoparasites?

3. Major Classes of Ectoparasites • Arthropods • Insects • Arachnids

4. Insects Trichodectes canis (Biting louse) Linognathus setosus (Sucking louse) Ctenocephalides (Flea) Cuterebra (Rodent Bot Fly)

5. Trichodectescanis (Biting louse) Found as Felicola sustratus in the cat Cause roughened hair coat, itching and dermatitis May act as intermediate host to Dipylidium caninum

7. Linognathussetosus (Sucking louse of dogs) Causes skin irritation, itching, dermatitis, alopecia, anemia, roughened hair coat Usually transmitted by direct contact, but all life stages may be transmitted by fomites Are species specific

9. Ctenocephalides (Flea) Infest dogs and cats Vector for Dipylidium caninum, tularemia, plague, etc. Die at temperatures below 20° F for 48 hours or at temperatures above 120° F for several days Over 200 species of fleas worldwide Severe infestations can cause anemia

10. Flea Life Cycle Eggs laid at rate of up to one per hour After about two days, larvae hatch and feed on any organic material for 5-15 days. (Preferred meal is “flea dirt”) Before becoming adults, larvae spin a cocoon and develop into an adult flea. Adult will remain in pupa until they sense vibration or increase in CO2, causing them to emerge and find their host.

12. Adult flea

13. Cuterebra (Rodent Bot Fly) Infests rodents, companion animals and occasionally humans Larval stage that infests skin Acts as an irritant Migration may be fatal Have a cutaneous lump with a breathing hole Use care when extracting as crushing larva may result in anaphylaxis

17. Arachnids Sarcoptes scabiei (Scabies) Demodex canis (Demodectic mange) Otodectes cynotis (Ear mites) Cheyletiella (Walking dander mite) Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Brown dog tick) Dermacentor variabilis (American Dog tick) Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick)

18. Sarcoptes Scabiei (Scabies) Found as Notoedres cati in cats Causes intense itching, dry and thickened skin. Is contagious to humans and other pets Mites burrow under the skin so may be difficult to diagnose Diagnose through a skin scraping Usually have “ventral blowout”

24. Demodex canis (Demodectic Mange) Rare in cats Causes areas of alopecia on head, neck, forelimbs. Can be localized or generalized. Diagnosed with skin scraping. (May also pluck hair from root) Is not contagious Small numbers considered normal on skin flora Genetic predisposition

28. Otodectes cynotis (Ear mites) Intense pruritis of the ear canal. Can be found on any area of the body Feed on epidermal debris and are easily transmitted

32. Cheyletiella (Walking Dander mite) Causes mild alopecia and pruritis May cause dermatitis in humans Ingest keratin debris and tissue fluids Have enormous hook-like accessory mouthparts Are visible to the naked eye

37. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Brown dog tick) • Vector for canine babesiosis and canine ehrlichiosis • May cause anemia or tick paralysis when found in large numbers

40. Dermacentor Variabilis (American Dog Tick) Feeds on small mammals but can also feed on dogs and humans Vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tularemia, and can cause tick paralysis in animals and humans

41. Anblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick) Gets name from white spot on apex of scutum Feeds on animals and humans May be vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and tularemia. Vector of Ehrlichia