Echidnophaga gallinacea (2)

Question 1

What are the hosts?

Answer 1

Fowl

Occasionally cats and dogs

Question 2

How do you identify?

Answer 2

Up to 2 mm long
- Usually 1 mm

Brown-black

Distinctive blunt head

Lacks pronotal and genal combs

Question 3

Explain life cycle

Answer 3

Adult females attach to head of host

Eggs laid, fall to ground, larvae hatch

Larvae develop best in sanitary, well drained litter

Preemerged fleas can survive several months in pupae

Question 4

What are the sites of infestation?

Answer 4

Nonfeathered skin on head, comb, and wattles, frequently around eyes

On dogs, often on margin of outer ear

Not host specific - Attack mammal/bird for blood meal

Question 5

Describe Pathogenesis

Answer 5

Adults cause:

 - Irritation
 - Restlessness 
 - Blood loss -> Anemia -> Death
 - Bites around eyes cause ulcerations - results in blindness

Question 6

How do you diagnose?

Answer 6

Identification of flea

Question 7

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 7

Removed by grasping and pulling firmly

Insecticides

Remove with tweezers, apply antibiotic ointment

Flea product

Remove and burn litter

Spray poultry house

Question 8

What are the common names?

Answer 8

Stick tight flea