Canine/Feline Insects Flashcards
Cuterebra spp-Taxonomic Classification
Order: Diptera
Family: Oestridae
Common Name: Rodent Bot Fly, Rabbit Bot Fly, New World Skin Bot Flies
Cuterebra spp.-Hosts
Rabbits rodents are principle hosts.
Dogs, cats
*Zoonosis
Cuterebra spp.-Identification
Adults: large (20-30mm), stout bodied and bee-like, mouthparts are vestigial and nonfunctional, short lived
3rd Stage Larvae: 2-4 cm long, dark brown, covered with black spines, obligatory parasites, host specific
Cuterebra spp.-Life Cycle
ELPA
Female lays eggs in the environ. near the host’s nest→egg can sense temperature and will hatch instantaneously when a host brushes past→enter host through skin or natural body openings→migrates to subcutaneous site→develop into 3rd larval stage→emerge through skin and drop to soil to pupate→adult emerge in spring.
Cuterebra spp.-Site of Infection
Subcutaneous connective tissue
Nasal and oral regions and migrate to brain
Cuterebra spp.-Pathogenesis and Lesions
Fibrotic cyst forms from larva in subcutaneous tissue
Migration to brain leads to infarction (tissue death due to obstruction of blood supply) and ischemic encephalopathy (deficiency of blood because of obstruction)
Cuterebra spp.-Clinical Signs
Lump in neck or legs, fur constantly wet, hole drips clear fluid
Cuterebra spp.-Diagnosis
See larvae within subcutaneous skin
Remove carefully with forceps
Cuterebra spp.-Treatment and Prevention
None approved
MCL heartworm prevention, imidacloprid, and fipronil may protect host
Culicidae-Taxonomic Classification
Genera: Aedes, Anopheles, Culex
Common Name: Mosquitoes
Culicidae-Identification
1 pair of wings, 1 pair of halteres, legs are thin and long, complex mouthparts form a long proboscis, antennae as long as proboscis, palps
Trichodectes canis-Taxonomic Classification
Order: Phthiraptera
Suborder: Ischnocera (Mallophaga)
Common Name: Dog biting louse or canine chewing louse
Trichodectes canis-Hosts
Dogs
Trichodectes canis-Identification
Adult: wingless, 1.9mm long, head as broad or broader than thorax, biting mouthparts, yellowish
Eggs (nits): elongate, operculate, whitish and easily noticed
Trichodectes canis-Life Cycle
ENNNA
Adult female lays eggs→hatch to nymphs→3 molts→adult
Host specific and requires the host for entire life cycle
Trichodectes canis-Site of Infection
Hair, skin, edge of ears
Trichodectes canis-Pathogenesis and Lesions
Vector for Dipylidium caninum
Found in animals that are neglected and underfed
Trichodectes canis-Clinical Signs
Puritus, loss of hair, scratching, restlessness, anemia can occur
Trichodectes canis-Diagnosis
Id of louse
Trichodectes canis-Treatment and Prevention
Spread by direct dog to dog contact
Inseticides
Linognathus setosus-Taxonomic Name
Order: Phthiraptera
Suborder: Anoplura
Common Name: Dog Sucking Louse
Linognathus setosus-Hosts
Dogs
Linognathus setosus-Identification
Adults: wingless, 3-5 mm long, flattened dorsoventrally, slate gray, narrower head than thorax, sucking mouthparts
Eggs (nits): elongate, operculate and whitish
Linognathus setosus-Life Cycle
ENNNA
Adult female lays eggs→hatch to nymph→3 molts→adult
Nymph and adult can only survive a few hours off host
Cycle takes 2-4 weeks
Linognathus setosus-Site of Infection
Skin
Linognathus setosus-Pathogenesis and Lesions
Severe anemia with heavy infection
Linognathus setosus-Clinical Signs
Loss of body condition
Damage to skin
Linognathus setosus-Diagnosis
Id of louse
Linognathus setosus-Treatment and Prevention
Spread by direct dog to dog contact
Insecticides
Ctenocephalides felis/canis-Taxonmonic Classification
Order: Siphonaptera
Common Name: cat/dog flea
Ctenocephalides felis/canis-Hosts
Dogs and Cats
Ctenocephalides felis/canis-Identification
Adults: 3 mm, dark brown, wingless
Pupa: 5 mm, color varies
Larva: 5 mm, worm-like
Egg: 0.5 mm, oval, pearly white
Ctenocephalides felis/canis-Life Cycle
ELPA
Adults lay eggs→eggs fall off host into environment (“salt shaker”)→ eggs hatch into larval stages→3rd larval stage spin cocoon into pupa→pre-emerged adults are stimulated to emerge (can survive for 30 wks)→newly emerged adults can survive 2 weeks w/o feeding→jump onto host
Ctenocephalides felis/canis-Site of Infection
Skin, back, ventral abdomen, inner thighs
Ctenocephalides felis/canis-Pathogenesis and Lesions/Clinical Signs
Flea bite allergy→intense pruritus and dermatitis even from low number of fleas
Large number of fleas can cause severe pruritus, alopecia and anemia
Vectors of viruses, bacteria (Bartonella henselae), tapeworms etc.
Ctenocephalides felis/canis-Diagnosis
Presence of fleas, flea feces, blood on host and in bedding
Ctenocephalides felis/canis-Treatment and Prevention
Requires breaking life cycle in several places
Insecticides help but do not treat all life stages
Environmental control→vacuum frequently, mow lawn/rake clippings, allow treated pet to roam usually places, foggers, dusting powders, sprays
Reduviidae-Taxonomic Classification
Order: Hemiptera
Common Name: Assassin bugs or kissing bugs
Cimicidae-Taxonomic Classification
Order: Hemiptera
Common Name: Beds bugs
Reduviidae/Cimicidae-Hosts
Many animals and humans
Reduviidae: painful bites
Cimicidae: painless bites
Reduviidae/Cimicidae-Identification
Bedbugs: 5-7 mm in length
Reduviids: 18 mm in length
Mouthparts are beaks, designed for piercing and blood sucking
