Exam II - Ctenocephalides Flashcards
Which is more common:
Ctenocephalides canis or Ctenocephalides felis
Ctenocephalides felis
What is/are the host(s) for Ctenocephalides?
Dogs and Cats
What is the common name for Ctenocephalides felis?
cat flea
Describe the life cycle of Ctenocephalides felis
Egg -> Larva -> Pupa -> Adult
Eggs are laid on the host and fall to the surrounding environment. Three larval stages are maggot-like with chewing mouthparts.
Larvae prefer secluded dark areas (like the base of carpet). The 3rd larva spins a cocoon and becomes a pupa, and an adult emerges.
Pre-emerged adults are stimulated to emerge from the cocoon when there are vibrations in the area. Pre-emerged fleas can survive for 30 weeks. Newly emerged unfed adult fleas can survive for 2 weeks before finding their 1st bloodmeal.
Once on a host, adult fleas are permanent residents. Fleas feed on blood within 5 minutes of arriving on a host. Mating occurs after feeding and egg production is within 2-4 days after 1st blood meal.
About how many eggs can 1 Ctenocephalides felis female lay per day?
~50
About how many eggs can 1 Ctenocephalides felis female lay in her lifetime?
~2,000
Development from egg to adult usually takes about how much time for Ctenocephalides felis?
~20-30 days
However, it can range from 9 days to 20 months
What is/are the site(s) of infection for Ctenocephalides felis?
Skin, back, ventral abdomen, and inner thighs
Describe the appearance of the Ctenocephalides felis adult
Adults are dark brown wingless insect, 3 mm long, with laterally compressed bodies which have a glossy surface, long leggs, pronotal ctenidia (combs), and piercing, sucking mouthparts
Describe the appearance of the Ctenocephalides felis larva
Larva is worm-like and 5 mm long, body segmented with chewing mouthparts feeding on organic debris (including the blood in the feces of adult fleas)
Describe the appearance of the Ctenocephalides felis pupa
Pupa is white, 5 mm, but color is dependent on the surrounding debris
Describe the appearance of the Ctenocephalides felis egg
Egg is oval and pearly white, 0.5 mm
Why do we consider fleas so important as clinicians?
they can cause tapeworms
large amounts can cause anemia
skin infections (flea allergy dermatitis)
Large numbers of Ctenocephalides can cause:
severe pruritis, alopecia (loss of hair), and anemia
How would you diagnose Ctenocephalides?
Fleas, flea feces, and blood on host and in bedding
