Ectoparasites

Question 1

Name 2 biting lice and their hosts

Answer 1

Felicola subrostratus
- cat

Trichodectes canis
- dog

Question 2

Name a sucking louse and it’s host

Answer 2

Linognathus setosus

- dog

Question 3

Clinical signs of lice (3)

Answer 3

Large infections

• hair loss
• intense irritation
• anaemia

Question 4

Transmission of ctenocephalides spp.

Answer 4

Feed on host, lay eggs in coat
Eggs shed into environment
Hatch, develop into larvae then adults
Adults attach to new host

Question 5

What is ctenocephalides spp. A vector for (2)

Answer 5

Mycoplasma haemofelis

Dipylidium caninum

Question 6

Clinical signs of flea infestation (6)

Answer 6

Skin irritation
Redness 
Inflammation
Flea allergy dermatitis
Flea dirt presence
Anaemia in heavy infestations

Question 7

Name 4 burrowing mites

Answer 7

Sarcoptes scabiei
Notoedres spp.
Demodex
Cnemidocoptes spp.

Question 8

Transmission and clinical signs of sarcoptes

Answer 8

Close contact
Zoonotic

Mange begins at ears and face
Spreads throughout body

Question 9

Clinical signs of demodex in young dogs (3)

Answer 9

Localised demodicosis

• alopecia of face and limbs
• skin thickening

Question 10

Clinical signs of demodex in older dogs and cause (3)

Answer 10

Generalised demodicosis

• lesions spread over whole body
• likely due to immunosuppression

Question 11

Name 3 surface mites

Answer 11

Otodectes cyanotis
Cheyletiella spp.
Neotrombicula autumnalis

Question 12

What is the most common cause of mange in dogs and cats

Answer 12

Otodectes cyanotis

Question 13

Clinical signs of ear mites (7)

Answer 13

Cats tend to harbour asymptomatically

Brown waxy discharge
Irritation
Scratching
Head shaking
Self-trauma
Secondary bacterial infections

Question 14

Transmission and clinical signs of cheyletiella (4)

Answer 14

Spreads rapidly with close contact
Zoonotic

Dermatitis
Skin shedding

Question 15

Which mite causes scaley face and leg in birds

Answer 15

Cnemidocoptes spp.

Question 16

When is peak tick season

Answer 16

Summer and autumn

Question 17

Transmission of ixodes spp. (2)

Answer 17

Adults feed on host, engorge, drop off
Eggs laid in environment
Hatch into larvae, attach to host, engorge
Drop off and mount into nymphs
Attach to larger host, engorge and detach
Moult into adults

Zoonotic

Question 18

Clinical signs of ixodes spp. (7)

Answer 18

Visual ID
Presentation of Lyme disease or babesiosis
- fever
- lameness
- joint swelling
- localised inflammation
- anaemia