Mites of Cats and Dogs

Question 1

Why are mites classed as arachnids?

Answer 1

Distinct body regions and 8 legs in adults

Question 2

What are the names of the three genus of burrowing mites found in UK dogs?

Answer 2

Sarcoptes scabiei
Notodres spp
Demodex spp

Question 3

What are the 4 genus of non-burrowing mites?

Answer 3

Otodectes cynotis
Cheyletiella spp
Trombicula spp
Trombicula autumnalis

Question 4

In what species does sarcoptes scabiei cause mange in the UK?

Answer 4

Dogs, Foxes, Pigs, Camelids

Question 5

Describe the morphology of sarcoptes scabiei

Answer 5

Flattened with rounded head
Cuticle folds looks like thumb print
Covered with scales and prominent spines

Question 6

How is sarcoptes scabiei diagnosed?

Answer 6

Itchy dogs, skin scrapping, dermatitis in household

ELISA

Question 7

Describe the life cycle of sarcoptes scabiei

Answer 7

Females burrow and create winding tunnels in keratin parallel to skin
Feed on fluid between the cells
Lays three eggs a day in tunnels
Larvae exit and moult to eight legged protonymph, tritonymph and adults in pockets on the skin

Question 8

What drugs can be used to treat sarcoptes scabiei?

Answer 8

Amitraz, selamectin, moxidectin, imidacloprid, fluralaner

Question 9

What is the morphology of notoedres spp?

Answer 9

Like sarcoptes in shape, prominent dorsal striations in the form of concentric rings, no scales and spines, dorsal anus

Question 10

What is the life cycle of notoedres similar to and what is used to treat an infestation?

Answer 10

Similar to sarcoptes

Selamectin

Question 11

Describe the morphology of demodex spp and what disease do they cause?

Answer 11

Long bodied, cigar shaped for living in hair follicles

Disease- demodicosis

Question 12

When do demodex cause disease and what are the clinical signs?

Answer 12

When health is compromised
Scaling and alopecia, papules and pustules on face, shoulders, neck and limbs
Localised- young dogs
Generalised- complicated by secondary bacterial infection
Rare in cats

Question 13

How can a dog with demodicosis be treated?

Answer 13

Difficult
Amitraz
Imidacloprid/Moxidectin plus antibiotics
Lotilaner

Question 14

Where is otodectes cynotis commonly found?

Answer 14

Extremely common ear mite of dogs, cats

Puppies and Kittens more susceptible

Question 15

How long is otodectes cynotis life cycle and what are the signs?

Answer 15

3 weeks

Intense itching with head shaking

Question 16

What problem is often as a result of otodected cynotis and how is it controlled?

Answer 16

Secondary infection can result in purulent otitis externa

Control- drops- permethrin (dogs), imidacloprid, selamectin

Question 17

What species does cheyletiella spp effect?

Answer 17

Dogs, cats and rabbits

Question 18

What does cheyletiella spp mainly cause?

Answer 18

Mild scaling dermatitis

Question 19

How is diagnosis of cheyletiella spp reached?

Answer 19

Confirmed by mite shape, palpal claws and eggs in superficial scrapings

Question 20

Where does cheyletiellosis usually occur and what is used for control?

Answer 20

Lesions usually occur dorsally on the rump and shoulders (walking dandruff)
Control- no licensed products- fipronil, ivermectin (rabbits)

Question 21

What is the Latin name for harvest bugs/berry bugs?

Answer 21

Trombicula spp

Question 22

What is the significance of trombicula spp?

Answer 22

Only larvae are parasitic
Cause mild prutitis, erythema and crusting
Diagnosis difficult