Mites Flashcards
Describe the anatomy of adult acari (ticks and mites)
8 legs
non-segmented body
What is acariasis?
Mite infestation
What is mange?
severe acariasis/mite infestation
Describe the direct effects of mites
Direct epidermal damage:
- skin erythema, pruritus, scale formation, lichenification and crust formation
- production of cutaneous hypersensitivity
- loss of blood or other fluids
Describe the indirect effects of mites
Mechanical or biological transmission or pathogens
What is the effect of psoroptes mites
Surface mite
Often very irritant, causing rubbing and trauma
Sheep scab
Rabbit ear mites
Describe the effect of chorioptes mites
Surface mite
Most common cause of mange in cattle and horses
Irritant, causes rubbing
Localised infestations and lesions
Loss of production
Describe the effect of otodectes cynotis mite
Surface mite
Ear mites in cats and dogs => severe irritations and thick, red crusts
Head shaking, ear scratching, ear droop, pruritus
Describe the effect of cheyletiella mites
Surface mites
Cause scaling dermatitis and pruritus
Describe the effect of trombicula mites
Surface mites
Bright red larvae
Found on legs, belly, face/head of grazers
Hypersensitivity reaction to bites => pruritis, erythema, scratching
Describe the effect of chirodiscoides and listrophorus mites
Surface mites
Fur mites
Few clinical signs
Describe the effect of dermanyssus mites (chicken red mites)
Surface mite
Affects fowls
causes loss of condition, drop in egg production and death due to anaemia
Describe the effect of ornithonyssus (northern fowl mite)
surface mite
Blood feeder
matting and scabbing around vent
reduced production, anaemia, death
Describe the effect of sarcoptes scabei mites
Burrowing mite
highly contagious
Intense pruritus due to hypersensitivity
Describe the effects of trixacarus caviae mites
Burrowing mites
Intense pruritus, alopecia and dermatitis
Severe infection -> secondary bacterial infection and stress
Describe the effects of notoedrea cati mites
Burrowing mites
pruritus, alopecia and dermatitis
found on head and around ears of cats
Describe the effect of knemidocoptes mites
Burrowing mites
Scaly face, scaly foot, tassel foot in birds
Highly contagious
Inflammation and exudate that dries
Hyperkeratosis, lameness, deformities
pruritis, scratching
Describe the effect of demodex mites
Burrowing mites
Live head down in hair follicles and sebaceous glands
Normal in low numbers
Most commonly causes disease in dogs:
- Hair loss
- scabby, crusty, itchy skin
Describe the methods of mite control
Treat infected animals
Treat in-contact animals if contagious
Physically clean environment
Identify and treat possibly underlying immunocompromse (important in demodex)
How do you differentiate between burrowing and surface mites?
Surface mites have longer legs
Burrowing mites have short stubby legs
