Ctenocephalides spp. (1)

Question 1

What are the common names?

Answer 1

Ctenocephalides felis: Cat flea

Ctenocephalides canis: Dog flea

Question 2

What are the hosts?

Answer 2

Dogs

Cats

Rats

Rabbits

Foxes

Humans

Question 3

Describe adult

Answer 3

Brown

Wingless

Up to 5 mm long

Question 4

Describe eggs

Answer 4

Pearly white

Oval with rounded ends

0.5 mm in length

Question 5

Describe larvae

Answer 5

Maggot-like

Approximately 0.5 cm long

Covered in small hairs

Question 6

Describe pupae

Answer 6

Oval

Up to 5 mm

Sticky

Color dependent on adherent debris from environment

Question 7

How do you differentiate Ctenocephalides spp.?

Answer 7

Cat flea most common flea on dogs (especially in US)

C. canis relatively rare

Differentiated based on shapes of heads, genal, and pronotal combs

Question 8

Explain life cycle

Answer 8

Eggs deposited on host, fall to environment within a few hours

Larvae emerge from eggs
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Found in carpet/animal bedding
- Feed on blood in adult flea feces, organic debris, flea eggshells,
other flea larvae
- Speed of development to pupa - Depends on temperature/
humidity

Mature larva produces silk-like cocoon, pupates
- Can remain in cocoon for up to 30 weeks

Pupa fully developed (1-2 weeks) contain adult flea (preemerged adult)

Emerge from cocoon when properly stimulated (physical pressure, CO2, substrate movement, heat)

Emerging fleas move to top of carpet pile/vegetation - more likely to
encounter host

Adults begin feeding immediately

Egg production begins within 20-24 hours of 1st blood meal

Entire life cycle can be completed in 12-14 days

Newly emerged unfed fleas ingest pets/bite people

Very little inter-host movement
- Do not leave host unless forced (grooming, insecticides)

Question 9

What are the sites of infestation?

Answer 9

Tail head, neck, and flanks

Found through hair coat

Skin, back, ventral abdomen, inner thighs

Question 10

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 10

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) - Hypersensitivity to antigenic material
from salivary glands of fleas
- Dermatitis, Pruritis (may manifest body)
- Secondary lesions
- Areas of Alopecia
- Erythema
- Hyperpigmented skin
- Scaling
- Papules
- Broken papules/reddish

Nonallergic - occasional scratching

Heavy infestation

 - Iron deficiency Anemia
 - Death

Transmits diseases/parasites

 - Rickettsia
 - Bartonella
 - Dipylidium caninum
 - Acanthocheilonema (Dipetalonema) reconditum

Question 11

How do you diagnose?

Answer 11

Physical exam

 - Identify adults or flea feces
 - Blood on host and in bedding

Question 12

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 12

Flea control programs

 - Requires breaking life cycle in several places
 - Eliminate:
        - Fleas on pets
        - Existing environmental infestations
 - Prevent infestation

May take several months to bring under control

Insecticides - excellent for elimination
- Do not treat all stages of life cycle
- Prevent reproduction with administration of topical or systemic IGR
- Prolonged residual ovicidal activity
- Sentinel, Advantage Multi, Revolution program, Vectra 3D,
Comfortis, Frontline (Plus), Capstar, etc.

Environmental control

 - Vacuum cleaner indispensable for reducing all stages
 - Vacuum frequently where your pets "hang out"
 - Mow lawn and rake clippings/leaves
 - Allow your treated pets to roam in usual places
 - Foggers, dusting powders, sprays

Question 13

What is important about Ctenocephalides spp.?

Answer 13

It is ZOONOTIC