Lecture 10 2/18/25 Flashcards
Which life stage of the flea cannot be targeted by the flea control products currently on the market?
pupa
What are the characteristics of flea eggs?
-laid on host
-fall into environment
-do not survive freezing
-can go dormant for months
What are the characteristics of flea larva?
-feed on organic debris and flea feces
-move away from light; prefer soil and carpet
-do not survive freezing or direct sunlight
What are the characteristics of flea pupa?
-sticky
-can survive up to 30 weeks
-adults stimulated to emerge by heat, vibration, and CO2
What are the characteristics of adult fleas?
-permanent ectoparasites
-need continuous access to blood source
-begin laying eggs within 24 hours of being on host
-can lay 40 to 50 eggs and day and over 2000 in a lifetime
What are the most important flea control facts?
-largest # of eggs are found where pet spends most time
-larva will migrate under furniture
-pupal stage difficult to kill
-best to keep pets on prevention
-infestation comes from pet’s environment
What are the characteristics of flea allergy?
-results from hypersensitivity
-can develop in any dog or cat
-flea antigens are found in saliva
-the major cause of skin disease in dogs and cats
What are the two types of reactions seen in flea allergy dermatitis?
-immediate/type 1 HPS
-delayed/type 4 HPS; leads to late phase IgE-mediated reactions and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity
What are the factors can contribute to flea allergy development in dogs?
-intermittent exposure
-first exposure later in life
-atopic dogs
What is the clinical presentation of flea allergy dermatitis?
-any age of dog
-pruritic papular dermatitis
-distribution over the caudodorsum, hind legs, flanks, and abdomen
-erythema, alopecia, and crusting
-secondary pyoderma, seborrhea, lichenification, and hyperpigmentation
What is the number one cause of hot spots?
flea allergy
What are potential hair loss patterns seen in flea allergy dogs?
-christmas tree pattern along dorsum
-barbering/mohawk of hair down back
What are the clinical signs of flea allergy in cats?
-distribution over caudodorsum, head/neck, and ventrum
-excessive grooming/barbering/alopecia
-miliary dermatitis
-eosinophilic granuloma complex
How is flea allergy diagnosed?
-history and clinical signs
-presence of live fleas and/or flea debris
-response to treatment
What are the differential diagnoses for flea allergy in dogs?
-other ectoparasites
-secondary infections/pyoderma
-food allergy
-atopic dermatitis
What are the differential diagnoses for flea allergy in cats?
-other ectoparasites
-dermatophytosis
-pyoderma
-other allergies
-pemphigus foliaceus
What must be considered when determining the level of flea control needed?
-frequency of bathing
-infestation of environment
-other pets
What are the goals of flea control/treatment?
-reduce flea numbers
-reduce egg production
-reduce continued exposure to salivary antigens
Which therapies are INEFFECTIVE and important to recognize as such?
-flea collars that are NOT seresto and scalibor
-brewers yeast and thiamine
-garlic and sulfur
-eucalyptus oil
-ultrasonic collars/boxes
What are important points regarding flea treatment?
-no product will work as well as it claims
-products have a decay curve
-all topical products will have decreased efficacy over time
-goals are to stop egg laying and prevent continued exposure to saliva
What are the steps to aggressive flea control in dogs?
-isoxazoline plus capstar
-trifexis and simparica/credelio alternated every two weeks
-add in seresto collar
-bravecto plus advantage multi every 2 to 4 weeks for dogs undergoing food trial
What are the steps to aggressive flea control in cats?
-advantage 2 or advantage multi every 2 weeks to start, then monthly
-capstar initially every other day with another adulticide
-program with an adulticide
What are the challenges to flea control?
-point sources/wildlife
-inconsistent treatment
-environmental infestation
What are the characteristics of flea control around the house/on the premises?
-not needed if no major environmental build up
-IGR with permethrin
-wildlife and feral cat control
-vacuum and wash bedding
-concentrate on shaded areas and places pets frequent in the yard
What are the characteristics of sarcoptic mange?
-Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis
-causes intensely pruritic dermatitis
-12 to 21 day lifecycle
-can spread through direct/dog-to-dog or indirect/fox-to-dog transmission
What are the characteristics of the sarcoptes incubation period?
-must have susceptible host
-can have variable number of mites transmitted
-site of infestation can vary
-clinical signs appear within 2 weeks to 2 months
What are the differential diagnoses for sarcoptic mange?
-other pruritic ectoparasites
-secondary infections
-allergic dermatitis; especially food allergy
-contact dermatitis
What are the characteristics of scabies diagnosis?
-very difficult
-will have intense pruritus in history
-poor response to steroids
-superficial scrapings can have false negatives
-must suspect it to know to do appropriate tests
-response to treatment, especially NexGard and Bravecto, indicates diagnosis
-Revolution + Advantage multi/Ivermectin trial can also work
What is the pinnal pedal reflex?
scratching the ear and causing the animal’s foot to scratch in response
What are the signs of zoonosis from sarcoptic mange?
-self-limiting papular dermatitis
-resolves after animal is treated
What are the characteristics of notoedric mange/feline scabies?
-Notoedres cati
-rare with endemic foci
-crusting and pruritus of head and neck
-mites are EASY to find o superficial skin scrapings
What are the characteristics of Cheyletiellosis/walking dandruff?
-surface mites
-entire life cycle on host
-transmission via contact or fomite
-large saddle shaped mite
-eggs loosely attached to hair
-huge grasping mouth parts
-can cause zoonosis
What are the species of pediculosis lice?
-Linognathus setosus: dog
-Trichodectes canis: dog
-Felicola subrostratus: cat
What are the characteristics of chiggers/trombiculosis?
-Eutrombicula/Neotrombicula
-seasonal
-cause orange papules
