Dog/Cat Fleas and Lice

Question 1

Why are fleas classed as insects?

Answer 1

six legs and distinct body regions

Question 2

Describe the morphology of a flea

Answer 2

Dark glossy brown, long third pair of legs, head combs (ctenidia), ventral (genal ctenidae), body spines

Question 3

What are the adaptions of a fleas back leg?

Answer 3

Energy stored in pleural arches, in resisilin, third legs rotated into vertical position

Question 4

What are the Latin names for dog and cat fleas?

Answer 4

Ctenocephalides felis- cat

Ctenocephalides canis- dog

Question 5

Describe the ctenocephalides felis life cycle

Answer 5

Jumps onto host
Survives 21 days takes several blood meals a day
Females lay eggs
Ovioid eggs laid on host fall to ground, hatch
Larvae three stages, puparium, pre-emerged adult

Question 6

How long is the cat flea life cycle?

Answer 6

3-8 weeks depending on temp

Question 7

What are the functions of flea dirt?

Answer 7

Diagnostic but is used a food source for larvae

Question 8

Describe a flea larvae

Answer 8

Maggot like, distinct head, 13 segments, posterior bristles, move from light

Question 9

What is FAD and what are the clinical signs?

Answer 9

Flea allergic dermatitis
Clinical signs- alopecia, excessive grooming, skin damage
The animals are hypersensitive to allergens in flea saliva

Question 10

How can fleas be diagnosed?

Answer 10

Adult fleas can be seen grossly on host as well as pruritis

Flea faeces- flea dirt, comb the hair put onto white tissue paper and turns blood red

Question 11

How can fleas transmit dipylidium caninum?

Answer 11

Mature tapeworm produce eggs
Flea larvae ingest eggs and tapeworm develops
Adult tapeworm develop when infected fleas are swallowed

Question 12

What two categories of drugs can be used to control infestation in dogs and cats?

Answer 12

Adulticides

Insect growth regulators

Question 13

What is the name of three adulticides used for treatment of fleas

Answer 13

Imidacloprid
Fipronil
Fluralaner

Question 14

What is the mode of action of fipronil and how effective is it?

Answer 14

Interacts with the neurotransmitter GABA- blocks movement of chloride ions across cells membranes pre and post synapse 
Kills fleas with 24hrs and Lice 48hrs
Effective for 4 weeks 
Apply between shoulder blades on skin
Not rabbits

Question 15

What is the mode of action of imidacloprid and how long does one treatment last?

Answer 15

High affinity for the nicotinergic acetyl choline receptors of the CNS
One treatment lasts 4 weeks

Question 16

How is fluralaner administered?

Answer 16

Chewable tablet

Question 17

What are the two types of IGR and name an example of each?

Answer 17

Chitin synthase inhibitors- diflubenzuron

Juvenile hormone analogues- methoprene

Question 18

What is the order of lice?

Answer 18

Phithiraptera

Question 19

What is the difference between the Mallophaga and Anoplura sub orders of lice?

Answer 19

Mallophaga- biting/chewing lice

Anoplura- contain the sucking lice

Question 20

Is trichodectes Canis a sucking or chewing lice?

Answer 20

Chewing

Question 21

Describe the morphology of the trichodected canis

Answer 21

Small yellow
Dark markings on abdomen
Claws for gripping hairs

Question 22

What is the life cycle of trichodectes canis and how long does is take?

Answer 22

Each adult lays eggs in 1 month of its life time
Nymph hatches from egg within 1-2 weeks of egg laying
Grows and moults three times
2-3 weeks

Question 23

What is the pathology of of trichodectes canis?

Answer 23

Harmful for puppies and old dogs 
Found on head, neck and tail
Intense itching, scratching, biting
Matted coat, inflammation and excoriation 
Alopecia and bacterial involvement

Question 24

What can trichodectes canis transmit?

Answer 24

Dipylidium caninum- tapeworm when ingested

Question 25

What type of lice is linognathus stetosus?

Answer 25

Sucking lice

Question 26

What kind of lice is felicola substrata?

Answer 26

Biting/chewing lice

Have triangles pointed head