Flea and Wormer Flashcards
define ectoparasite
parasites which usually live on or burrow into the surface of the host’s epidermis
give 2 examples of ectoparasites
fleas
ticks
define endoparasite
parasites that live in the internal organs of the host
give 2 example of endoparasites
roundworms
protozoa
describe the life cycle of fleas
eggs hatch 2-3 days after laying. Move into larval stage of 3 phases which lasts 5-10 days before pupating. One in the pupal stage can last for 5-10 days or up to 6 months if in a cocoon. Hatch due to the presence of host and live for up to 2 months
how many days after laying to flea eggs hatch?
2-3 days
how many stages are there within the larval phase?
3
how long does the larval phase last?
5-10 days
how long does the pupae stage last?
5-10 days but can be up to 6 months in a cocoon
what causes pupae to hatch?
presence of host, compressions, vibrations or heat can stimulate this
what makes flea infestation difficult to manage?
while fleas on the animal may be killed, those in cocoons in the carpet are very resistant and proper cleaning/washing/treatment of surfaces is also needed to interrupt the lifecycle.
how long is the adult flea life stage?
up to 2 months on host
what parts of the tick life cyle can carry disease?
any so tick protection is needed throughout the year
what happens when a tick bites?
inserts anaesthetic to prevent the animal from feeling the bite and so potentially dislodging the tick. This can introduce disease into the bloodstream alongside the saliva.
how many hours does it usually take for disease to transfer from the tick to the host?
36-48 hours
what are the most common ticks?
deer/sheep ticks
describe the life cycle of ticks
eggs laid in spring, in summer larva feed from primary host and detach once full. Become nymphs after the first blood meal and attach to secondary host in the spring. Detach and become adults, they feed again and lay eggs in the spring.
what are the primary hosts of ticks?
mice/rats
birds
what are the secondary hosts of ticks?
humans, deer, dogs/cats
when is risk of infection from ticks greatest?
spring
name some common endoparasites
tapeworm
nematodes (roundworm)
give an example of a tapeworm
dipylidium caninum
give 2 examples of zoonotic nematodes
toxacara canis
hookworm (ancylostoma caninum)
give 2 examples of non-zoonotic nematodes
whipworm - trichuris vulpis
lungworm - angiostrongylus vasorum
give 2 examples of protozoa
toxoplasma gondii
Gardia
what is tapeworm transmitted via?
biting fleas or ingestion of infested prey
what are the signs of toxacara canis?
vomiting
diarrhoea
pot bellies
stunted growth
where do puppies catch toxacara canis from?
mother, either via contact or milk
what can toxacara canis cause in children?
blindness
what are the signs of hookworm and whipworm?
diarrhoea
anemia
lethargy
weight loss
what is lungworm caused by?
eating slugs/snails
what can toxoplasma gondii cause in humans?
abortion
what are the signs of Gardia?
vomiting
diarrhoea
weightloss
lethargy
how is advocate administered?
spot on
how regularly does advocate need to be administered?
monthly
how does advocate work?
kills on contact with the flea as well as being absorbed into the bloodstream where it moves to the intestines and paralyses worms so they are passed in faeces
what are the active ingredients of advocate?
imidacloprid
moxidectin
what does imidacloprid do?
spreads across skin and kills fleas
what does moxidectin do?
absorbed into skin and paralyses worms in GI tract
what is milbemax?
tablet
how often does milbemax need to be given?
every 6 months
what are the active ingredients of milbemax?
milbemycin and praziquantel
what is the role of milbemycin?
broad spectrum anti parasitic
what is the role of praziquantel?
treats tapeworm
what mustn’t milbemax be given with
milbemycin flea treatement - overdose
what is nexguard spectra?
chewable tablet
what are the active ingredients of nexguard spectra?
afoxolaner and milbemycin oxime
what does afoxolaner do?
kills all fleas on pets within 6 hours and prevents adults from laying eggs
what is nexguard spectra active against?
fleas ticks mites roundworms lungworm demodex sarcoptes
what are the active ingredients of drontol plus?
praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate and febantel
what does pyrantel pamoate target?
hookworms
what does febantel target?
roundworms
in what form is drontol plus given?
tablets
how long does a seresto collar last for?
7-8 months
what are the active ingredients of seresto collars?
imidaclorprid and flumethrin
what is the effect of a seresto collar?
repels fleas and ticks and kills those that coem into contact with the collar
what are the active ingredients of milpro?
milbemycin and praziquantel
what is broadline?
spot on for cats
what are the active ingredients of broadline?
fipronil
S-methopreneare
eprinimectin
praziquantil
what does broadline treat?
broad spectrum for worms and fleas
what are the three main points of an ideal flea/worm product?
broad spectrum
long acting
easy to administer
what prescription category are most flea/wormers?
POM-V
what are the general contraindications for flea/wormers?
ivermectin - sensitivity reported in collies
permetherin - toxic to cats but found in dog wormers
previous reactions
drontal plus is not for use in pregnant bitches as it can cause early abortion
how can reactions to new products be checked?
give new flea and then new wormer 2 days later to discover which if any cause a reaction
What does Advocate treat?
roundworm, lungworm, fleas and mites
what does milbemax treat?
broad spectrum anti parasitic (esp. tapeworms)
what is drontol plus active against?
tapeworm and roundworm
what is the seresto collar effective against?
fleas and ticks
what is milpro effective against?
anti parasitic inc tapeworms
what is broad line effective against?
broad spectrum for worms and fleas
