Mange mites of cats and dogs

Question 1

What burrowing mites can be found in cats and dogs?

Answer 1

Sarcoptes scabiei
Demodex spp
Notoedres spp

Question 2

What non-burrowing mites can be found in cats and dogs?

Answer 2

Cheyletiella sap
Trombicula spp
Otodectes cynotis

Question 3

How are Sarcoptes transmitted? Are they contagious?

Answer 3

Physical contact

Very contagious

Question 4

Sarcoptes causes mange in which species?

Answer 4

Dogs, foxes pigs

Question 5

Describe the morphology of Sarcoptes

Answer 5

Round, flat, round head
Very stumpy from tlegs
Dorsal surface has thumb print pattern - folds of cuticle
Covered in scales and spines

Question 6

What does mange cause? Where is mange most severe?

Answer 6

Intense pruritic lesions
Hair loss
Crusting
Head - around ears and eyes

Question 7

How is mange diagnosed?

Answer 7

Clinical signs - itching etc

Skin scrapings

Question 8

Are Sarcoptes scabiei found in cats?

Answer 8

Rarely

Question 9

What animals are reservoirs of Sarcoptic mange?

Answer 9

Hedgehogs

Question 10

Describe the lifecycle of Sarcoptes scabiei

Answer 10

Females dig tunnels in keratinin and feed on fluid between cells
Each female has own tunnel - lays 3 eggs/day
Larvae hatch in tunnel in 4 days
Larvae leave tunnels and moult to nymphs and adults

Question 11

How long does it take for Sarcoptes eggs to become adults?

Answer 11

14 days

Question 12

What drugs can be used to control Sarcoptic mange? What should be treated?

Answer 12

Amitraz
Moxidectin
Imidacloprid
Treat all dogs, instruments and bedding

Question 13

Why is Ivermectin not used fo Sarcoptic mange in dogs?

Answer 13

Contraindicated - CNS problems

Question 14

What test can be done to identify mange?

Answer 14

Pinnal pedal reflex
Rub ear with thumb and fore finger
If got mange, leg makes scratching movement

Question 15

Where is Notoedres sp usually found?

Answer 15

Head, face and ears of cats

Sometimes hedgheogs

Question 16

How does Notoedres spp differ to Sarcoptes scabiei? (2 reasons)

Answer 16

Sarcoptes in dogs, Notoedres in cats
Sarcoptes has stumpy front legs, Notoedres longer
Sarcoptes has scales and spines, Notoedres has no scales or spines

Question 17

Demodex spp are burrowing mites (follicle mites), what species are they found in?

Answer 17

Many - humans, dogs

Rarely cats

Question 18

What species of demodex infects dogs? Is demodex commensal or non-commensal? What is the disease caused by sensitivity to demodex mange?

Answer 18

Demodex canis
Commensal
Demodicosis

Question 19

How can demodex be transmitted from a bitch to puppies?

Answer 19

Mammary skin whilst suckling

Question 20

What are the symptoms of demodex infection?

Answer 20

Scaling
Alopecia
Papules and pustules

Question 21

What are the 2 different forms of demodicosis? Which dogs are they usually found in? What do they cause?

Answer 21

Localised form - young dogs, lesions spontaneously resolve
Generalised form - any age dog, severe disease caused by secondary bacterial infection. Thickened skin, pustules and crust

Question 22

Where do demodex burrow into?

Answer 22

Hair follicles and sebaceous glands

Question 23

How can demodex be diagnosed?

Answer 23

Deep skin scrapings

Question 24

What is the ear mite? Are they burrowing or non burrowing?

Answer 24

Otodectes cynotis

Non-Burrowing

Question 25

What species are Otodectes cynotis found in? What age are more susceptible?

Answer 25

Cats and dogs | Young animals

Question 26

What do Otodectes cynotis feed on? Where are they found?

Answer 26

Debris near ear drum Located in deep ear, can spread to head and neck)

Question 27

How long is the lifecycle of Otodectese cynotis? How are they transmitted?

Answer 27

3 weeks | Direct contact

Question 28

What are the symptoms of Otodectes cynotis?

Answer 28

Intense itching Head shaking Brown waxy exudate (cats)

Question 29

What can be a complication of Otodectes cynotis?

Answer 29

Purulent otitis externa

Question 30

What drugs can be used to control Otodectes cynotis

Answer 30

Permethrin (not its) Imidacloprid Selamectin

Question 31

Are Cheyletiella burrowing or non-burrowing? What are they a common cause of?

Answer 31

Non-burrowing | Mild scaling dermatitis

Question 32

What morphological features help diagnose Cheyletiella spp?

Answer 32

Palpal claws | Shape

Question 33

Where are Cheyletiella eggs found?

Answer 33

Superficial scrapings and faeces

Question 34

Are Cheyletiella zoonotic? What species are they common in?

Answer 34

Yes Common in rabbits Also more common in boxers and cocker spaniels

Question 35

Where do lesions usually occur in Cheyletieollosis? What is this mite also known as?

Answer 35

Lesions on dorsal rump and shoulders | Walking dandruff mite

Question 36

How can Cheyletiellosis be treated in rabbits?

Answer 36

No licensed products | Use fipronil or ivermectin

Question 37

Apart from Cheyletiella and Otodectes cynotis, what is the other non-burrowing mite seen install animals? Which species usually have them?

Answer 37

``` Trombicula spp (autmunalis mainly) Rodents ```

Question 38

Describe the morphology of Trombicula spp

Answer 38

Very small with orange patches | Long legs

Question 39

Are all stages of Trombicula spp parasitic?

Answer 39

Only larvae

Question 40

What are the signs of Trombicula infestation?

Answer 40

Mild pruritis Eryhtema (skin redness) Crusting

Question 41

Why is diagnosis of Trombicula difficult? What may Trombicula be associated with?

Answer 41

Rarely recovered from animals | Seasonal canine illness - illness of dogs in Winter, unknown cause