External SA Parasites 1 Flashcards
Why are pets scratching?
Fleas
Lice
Biting fleas
Mites
Ticks
Helminths
Disease from hypersensitivity, skin lesions, infectious agents
Factors abt flea life stage
Eggs - >50% hum, 25c*
Larva - white and turn brown, 83% develop in carpet
Pupa - 10d-6m emersion due to pressure/heat
Adult - begins on host, blood feeding =permanent parasite
Highest % of population on body parts
Tail - 1-6%
Head/anus - 6-20%
Legs - 20-25%
Pits - 25-34%
Neck - 34-38%
Ventral torso - 38-45%
Dorsal torso - 45-63%
Possible reactions to fleas
Little response
Flea bite dermatitis
Flea allergy dermatitis - hypersensitivity (8% of cats)
What occurs when fleas bite
Flea makes several insertions to locate capillary
Saliva contains histamine ish compounds - proteolytic, cytolytic & anticoagulant enzymes
Erthyematous wheal = classic primary lesion in hypersensitive dogs and cats
Continuous exposure can lead to decreased reaction
FLEA BITE DERMATITIS - most common derm entity
FAD presentation
Dogs - erythema, alopecia, papules & crust w scratching leading to self-trauma, esp on rump/tail head
Cats - Miliary dermatitis w alopecia, pruritus, licking, scratching & self trauma
FAD testing
Intradermal skin testing
8.2% of dogs allergic to flea salvia
FAD presentation on body
1 Confined to dorsal lumbosacral /tail head
#2 Caudomedial thighs, ventral ab, flank
#3 neck, forearms, ears
Miliary dermatitis starts around lower neck/back
Side effects of fleas
Anemia - common in young animals
Species of fleas
Diplyidium canium - zoonotic
Acanthocheilonema reconditum -
Rickettsia spp - zoonotic, R.felis/R.typhi
Bartonella Henselae - zoonotic
Mycoplasma haemofelis
Controlling fleas
Break flea cycle indoors, minimize reinfection, remove
Control requires treatment of the pet, contact animals and environment (indoor/outdoor)
Environmental control for fleas
Repeated vacuuming
Proper disposal - heat, freezing, sealed discard
Steam cleaning, mopping
Wash at 60*c and dry at high settings, use pyrethroids
Outdoor flea control
Clear debris
Cedar chips
Present flea eating nematodes
Targeted insecticides at sleeping areas
Poultry & rodent fleas
Poultry stick tight flea - echidnophaga glalinacea
- bird pest, can spread to C&D, adult F attaches semi perm
Rodent flea - xenopsylla cheopis
- transmits plague
Human flea - pulex irritans
SA ectoparasites
Lice
Treatments include Imidacloprid, fipronil, selamectin, permethrin, isoxazolines