Fleas Flashcards
What is the lifecycle of a flea?
Flea -> egg -> larvae -> pupa
How long does it take from an adult flea to lay an egg?
48 hours after infestation
How long does it take for an egg to develop into larvae?
1-10 days
How long does it take the larvae to form into a pupa?
5-11 days
How long can a flea remain dormant for?
<6 months
What is the length of the lifecycle of a flea?
3-5 weeks
How long can a flea survive if unfed?
10-60 days
What is the flea of veterinary importance that does not have ctendia?
Echidnophaga gallinacea - hen flea
What are the clinical signs of the echidnophaga gallinacea flea?
Excoriation and crusts above the eye
What are the 4 fleas of veterinary importance with ctendia?
Ceratophillus gallinae
Ctenocephalides canis
Ctenocephalides felis
Spilopsyllus cuniculi
Which flea is also known as the hen flea?
Ceratophillus gallinae
What are the characteristics of ceratophillus gallinae?
Moves onto birds to feed for short period, so do not spend long periods of time on the host.
What flea infects dogs?
Ctenocephalides canis
What flea infects cats?
Ctenocephalides felis
What flea infects rabbits?
Spilopsyllus cuniculi
What disease is spread by spilopsyllus cuniculi?
Myxomatosis, which causes puffiness around the head and the genitals.
May progress to acute conjunctivitis and blindness.
Which flea was responsible for the spread of the plague? What bacterium did it transmit?
Xenopsylla cheopis - rat flea.
Transmitted Yersinia pestis.
How many times does a flea feed per day?
2-4x
When do fleas have their first meal?
40 minutes after infestation
How much can a flea increase in volume?
x15
What is the egg production of a flea?
40-50 per day.
Declines with age to ~30
How can fleas be found on animals?
Use a flea comb and a wet paper towel.
Microscopy can show eggs and faeces.
