ectoparasite Flashcards

1
Q

ectoparasite

A

parasite living on or in the skin of the host

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

two major groups of arthropod ectoparasites infecting domestic animals

A

Incsecta (mosquitoes, flies, lice, fleas)
Acarine (mites, ticks)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the most common flea species that infest dogs and cats in the United States?

A

Ctenocephalides felis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

True or False: Fleas have wings and can fly short distances

A

false

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

sole diet of adult fleas

A

blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

characteristics of adult fleas (5)

A

body compressed laterally, macroscopic, wingless, large powerful rear legs, piercing sucking mouthparts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

four stages of the flea life cycle

A

a. adult
b. egg
c. larvae
d. pupae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

egg of C. felis fleas

A

pearly white, oval, 1⁄2 mm long

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Where in the pet’s home do most of the eggs of C. felis end up?

A

a. carpet
b. furniture
c. bedding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Two environmental conditions that will affect the length of time for the completion of C. felis flea

A

a. temperature
b. humidity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

The optimal environmental conditions for the completion of the life cycle of C. felis flea

A

a. 65-85 degrees
b. 70 % humidity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

The female adult, C. felis, flea lays approximately how many eggs per day

A

40-50

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Why are the fleas usually not a problem in the desert and mountain areas of the United States?

A

Extreme heat, low humidity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What will cause the pre-emerged adult C. felis flea to emerge from its cocoon?

A

Presence of a host (vibrations, C02 emission)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

The stage of the life cycle of C. felis flea where the pre-emerged adult is found

A

Cocoon (pupae)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What seasons of the year (in the midwest) are extreme flea problems most likely to be encountered?

A

Spring & Summer, optimum temp and humidity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Under optimum environmental conditions, approximately how long does it take for the eggs of C. felis flea to become an adult flea?

A

14-42 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Under unfavorable conditions, it may take up to how many days to complete the life cycle of C. felis flea?

A

200+

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Heavy infestation of fleas on young animals may result in what clinical condition?

A

Anemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

You are examining an animal that the owner says is scratching like crazy, but they can’t find any fleas. What should you look for (besides adult fleas) to determine if fleas are present?

A

Flea dirt-white paper test (spray with water to show red digested blood)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

An animal has been diagnosed as having flea bite allergy. What is it that the animal is allergic to?

A

Saliva of flea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What symptoms do animals suffering from flea bite allergy dermatitis display clinically?

A

Alopecia, self-mutilation due to severe itching/pruritus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Which of the internal parasites (that infect dogs and cats) do fleas serve as an intermediate host for?

A

Dipylidium caninum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

T or F The C. felis flea will bite and attempt to obtain a blood meal from humans if a preferred host is not available.

A

true

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

T or F Flea bite allergic dermatitis may result from the presence of only one or two adult fleas on an animal that is sensitized.

A

true

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Considering the life cycle of C. felis flea, which of the stages of the cycle occur in the environment (home, kennel, etc.)?

A

egg, larvae, pupae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Which of the stage of the flea life cycle are susceptible to insecticides such as pyrethrins or synthetic pyrethroids?

A

Adult only

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Mrs. Jones has called to find out how to get rid of the fleas on “Spike”, her 9-month old Cocker Spaniel. She has tried everything on Spike, including sprays, collars, yeast, garlic and an ultrasonic device. There are also two cats in the home, but they don’t seem to be having the problem as bad as Spike. She hasn’t been “treating” the cats.

a. What mistake(s) has Mrs. Jones made in her attempts to treat the flea problem?

b. Design a complete Flea Control Program for Mrs. Jones and her animals. Write each step in the order they should be performed.

A

a. not treating cats

b. 1. Kill adult fleas (provide relief) can use medicated flea shampoo (pyrethrin) but only kills adult fleas, applying topical flea control product is more effective
2. Eliminate infestation (environment) can purchase pump sprays, bombs, or hire a professional exterminator may need to do this also every 4 weeks depending on
extent of infestation (some recommend treating the yard also)
3. Prevent re-infestation- apply flea control product every 30 days year round

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

A total approach to flea control is necessary. What are common mistakes made resulting in unsuccessful flea control?

A

Not continuing to treat animal, or missing a treatment, not treating environment/home, not treating all pets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Pediculosis

A

louse infection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

T or F: Lice are not species-specific and will live on any warm-blooded host.

A

false

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

The singular term for lice

A

louse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

two major classifications of the insect group lice

A

mallophaga and anoplura

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Lice eggs

A

nits

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

T or F: The biting louse has a small, narrow head compared to the sucking louse.

A

false

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

T or F: In general, lice are not visible with the naked eye

A

false

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Where are louse eggs commonly found?

A

Stuck to hairs or feathers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

symptoms of lice infestations

A

a. pruritis
b. alopecia
c. ill-kept hair coat (mats)

39
Q

Where on the body of dogs and cats are lice most commonly found?

A

Under matted hair close to skin

40
Q

How can lice be eradicated from an infested animal?

A

Pyrethrin shampoo 2-3 times every 10 days

41
Q

T or F: The species of animal lice are zoonotic.

A

false

42
Q

This scientific name for biting lice

A

Mallophaga

43
Q

When looking for ticks on an animal’s body, where on an infected animal would you most likely find the parasites?

A

a. head
b. neck
c. pinna

44
Q

Two major classifications (families) of ticks

A

a. Argasidae-soft
b. Ixodidae-hard

45
Q

What is the scientific name for the American Dog Tick?

A

Dermacentor variabilis

46
Q

Ixodes dammini is commonly known as the

A

deer tick

47
Q

Mrs. Brown is on the phone. She was on a camping trip in southern Illinois three weeks ago. She is calling because her dog, Sport (who was also on vacation), has a number of ticks on his body. She wants to know how to treat the dog to remove the ticks and how to get rid of them in her house. What instructions would you give her?

A
  • The most important point is to remove the entire tick including the head
  • Then use tick shampoo/tick control product on pet and in environment
48
Q

Cuterebra spp is commonly known as the

A

rodent bot fly larvae

49
Q

The most common time of the year for Cuterebriasis to occur is

A

late summer

50
Q

What symptoms do animals suffering from Cuterebriasis display clinically?

A

Swelling
nodule on neck

51
Q

Demodicosis is caused by

A

demodex

52
Q

Demodicosis is also known as

A

red mange

53
Q

The Demodex spp mite is a normal inhabitant of the skin of

A

dogs, cats, humans

54
Q

Where does the causative agent, Demodex canis, of Demodicosis complete its life cycle?

A

Hair follicle sebaceous glands

55
Q

What constitutes a positive skin scraping for untreated generalized Demodicosis?

A

More than 1-2 mites per microscopic field

56
Q

List all of the steps of performing a skin scraping: (6)

A
  1. Make 2 separate pools of mineral oil on each side
  2. Lightly coat edge of scalpel blade with mineral oil
  3. Clip long-haired dogs where scrapings are to be made
  4. Pinch skin between thumb and forefinger (expresses material and mites from hair follicles)
  5. Scrape until droplets of blood begin to appear
  6. Place collected material into one of mineral oil pools, stir with blade or spatula
    - Make at least 5 scrapings!
57
Q

T or F: Generalized Demodicosis occurs prior to the occurrence of localized Demodicosis

A

false

58
Q

T or F: Localized Demodicosis is the forerunner to generalized Demodicosis

A

true

59
Q

T or F: The number of lesions and portions of the body involved differ from case to case

A

true

60
Q

T or F: Animals with generalized Demodicosis will recover spontaneously

A

false

61
Q

What is the the approved treatment for generalized Demodicosis?

A

Amitraz (Mitaban) dip-topical solution applied over entire body; selamectin is now being prescribed

62
Q

How is Demodicosis diagnosed?

A

Deep skin scraping

63
Q

The demodectic mite is normal fauna on the canine. Where or how is the parasite obtained by the animal?

A

transplacentally

64
Q

Canine scabies is caused by

A

Sarcoptes Scabiei

65
Q

T or F: Canine scabies is a zoonotic disease.

A

true

66
Q

How is canine scabies transmitted from animal to animal?

A

Direct contact

67
Q

The primary clinical symptom of Sarcoptic mange is

A

Extreme pruritus

68
Q

T or F: Sarcoptic mange is not a contagious disease of dogs.

A

false

69
Q

What test is done clinically to diagnose canine scabies?

A

deep skin scraping

70
Q

What are the best sites to scrape when Sarcoptic mange is suspected?

A

Lateral margins of pinnae
ventral chest
lateral elbows

71
Q

Minimally, how many skin scrapings should be done on an animal suspected of having Sarcoptic mange?

A

5

72
Q

The common name for Cheyletiella

A

walking dandruff

73
Q

T or F: Cheyletiella is not a contagious, zoonotic disease

A

false

74
Q

What is the most distinctive clinical sign(s) that animals with Cheyletiellosis display?

A

scaling and crusting

75
Q

Cheyletiella mites live primarily

A

on the surface of the skin

76
Q

When performing skin scrapings to diagnose ectoparasites, what special consideration must be made for the parasite Cheyletiella?

A

Surface vs burrowing

77
Q

When identifying the Cheyletiella mite, what is distinctive about these mites? (How can they be distinguished from the Sarcoptes mite?)

A

larger size
longer legs
horn-like mouth parts

78
Q

The technical name for feline scabies is

A

notoedres

79
Q

The most common clinical signs of feline scabies

A

a. pruritis
b. scaling
c. thick yellowish crusts
d. alopecia

80
Q

Trombiculosis is caused by what ectoparasite?

A

Harvest mite, chiggers

81
Q

The common name for Otodectes cynotis

A

ear mite

82
Q

How are ear mites transmitted?

A

Direct contact

83
Q

The clinical signs of ear mite infection

A

intense pruritis, shaking head, scratching at ears

84
Q

The life cycle of Otodectes cynotis is completed in about

A

3-4 weeks

85
Q

Clinically, how are ear mites diagnosed?

A

ear smear

86
Q

The most common drug used today to kill ear mites is

A

ivermectin (selamectin, moxidectin)

87
Q

Why is it important to treat all animals in a household where one animal has been diagnosed positive for Otodectes cynotis?

A

very contagious

88
Q

The ear mite of the rabbit is

A

Psoroptes cuniculi

89
Q

The depth of the skin scraping is somewhat variable and is contingent on

A

suspected parasite

90
Q

Why should the edges of the scalpel blade be moistened with mineral oil prior to scraping?

A

Helps gather debris/sample

91
Q

When demodectic mange is suspected, why is “pinching” of the skin done prior to scraping?

A

Squeeze hair follicles

92
Q

When demodectic mange is suspected, why is the scraping continued until droplets of capillary blood appear?

A

Deep-mite lives in hair follicle and sebaceous glands

93
Q

When examining a skin scraping microscopically, what objective should be used?

A

4x-10x

94
Q

When examining a skin scraping microscopically, at what level should illumination be maintained?

A

Low level