Chorioptes bovis (1)

Question 1

What are the hosts?

Answer 1

Cattle

Sheep

Goats

Horses

Question 2

How do you identify?

Answer 2

Up to 300 micro m

Rounded mouthparts

Pretarsi/pedicels

 - Short
 - Unsegmented 
 - Large cup-shaped suckers

Question 3

Explain the life cycle

Answer 3

PPP: 3 weeks

Nonburrowing

Feeds on skin surface and epithelial debris

Female: lives 4-6 weeks
- Lays approximately 90 eggs, attaches to host skin

All developmental stages occur on host

Question 4

What are the sites of infection?

Answer 4

Primarily in back of hind limbs

Up to tail head

On cattle: these mites also may be found on back of udder

On horses: mites may be seen on breeds with feathered legs

Question 5

What are the clinical signs?

Answer 5

Damaged hides

Pruritis

Alopecia

Crusting may develop

Economic loss - animals scratch/rub damaging hides

Question 6

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 6

Late winter, mild condition

Feed primarily on skin products

May be asymptomatic

Cause only mild lesions in some animals

Cattle

 - Mites are often found in housed animals
        - Dairy animals 
        - Populations highest in winter

Question 7

How do you diagnose?

Answer 7

Skin scraping

Question 8

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 8

Crotoxyphos or lime sulfur suspensions as spray or dip controls
- Lactating dairy cows

MCLs applied to lactating dairy cattle without withholding of milk

Regular checks of livestock

Quarantining affected animals

Eprinomectin

Standard louse treatments give good response

Question 9

What are the common names?

Answer 9

Foot mange

Leg mange

Itchy heel