Ectoparasite Review Questions

Question 1

Are fleas host specific?

Answer 1

No, they have a predisposition, but will take any they can get.

Question 2

What is FAD?

Answer 2

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

-allergy to saliva of flea, some animals are hypersensitive.

Question 3

Which flea species is most common in dogs and cats?

Answer 3

Ctenocephalides felis

-85% to 90%

Question 4

What is another way of dx’ing fleas if there are no fleas present on an animal?

Answer 4

The presence of “flea dirt”. This can be distinguished by moistening a cotton ball with water, and placing sample on the cotton ball. If debris turns red, it is flea dirt.

Question 5

Name two commercial topical flea treatments.

Answer 5

• Advantage (Imidacloprid)

- K9 Advantix (Imidacloprid + Permethrin)

Question 6

What are the two important groups of lice? Which are sucking, and which are biting?

Answer 6

1. Anoplura - Sucking

2. Mallophaga - Biting / Chewing

Question 7

Name the three species of lice which we discussed and give which group they belong to.

Answer 7

Anoplura

• Haematopinus spp.
• Linognathus setosus
• Polyplax spp.

Mallophaga

• Felicola subrostratus
• Trichodectes canis

Question 8

Where are the egg/nits of lice found?

Answer 8

Attached to the hair/feathers on the head, base of ears, and elbow areas. They like dark furred areas.

Question 9

Name two treatments for lice.

Answer 9

1. Ivermectin

2. Permethrins

Question 10

Are all mites pathogenic? If not, why?

Answer 10

No, not all mites are pathogenic. Some of them are normal fauna of mammals.
-Demodex is only a prob if immune suppressed.

Question 11

Cheyletiella spp.

Answer 11

Walking Dandruff

Question 12

Sarcoptes

Answer 12

Scabies

Question 13

Notoedres

Answer 13

Cat Scabies

Question 14

Demodex

Answer 14

Red Mange or Follicular Mange

Question 15

Otodectes

Answer 15

Ear Mites

Question 16

Which mite is found by using the cellophane tape method?

Answer 16

Cheyletiella spp.

Question 17

Which mite causes very severe pruritus and can be recovered by skin scrape, but this method is not always successful at finding the mite?

Answer 17

Sarcoptes scabiei

Question 18

Which mite parasitizes the external ear canal and causes a crusty, thick, black debris?

Answer 18

Otodectes cynotis

Question 19

What are two main tick groups, and which one has a scutum?

Answer 19

1. Argasidae

2. Ixodidae - has a scutum

Question 20

Which tick transmits Lyme disease?

Answer 20

Ixodes scapularis

Question 21

What is the organism that causes Lyme disease?

Answer 21

Borrelia burgdorferi

Question 22

How are tick-borne illnesses dx’ed?

Answer 22

ELISA, serological tests.

Question 23

What are some general signs of tick-borne illnesses?

Answer 23

Fever, lethargy, anorexia.

Question 24

What is the organism that causes Rocky Mt. Spotted Fever?

Answer 24

Rickettsia rickettsii

Question 25

Which fly species is an aggressive blood feeder?

Answer 25

Tabanus spp. | -Horsefly & Deerfly

Question 26

Name two species of fly in which the larval stage is found in the stomach.

Answer 26

Hypoderma spp. - cattle bot fly | Gasterophilus spp. - bot fly (stomach bot of horses)

Question 27

Where is Oestrus ovis larvae usually found?

Answer 27

In the sinuses of sheep.

Question 28

Where is the larval stage of Cuterebra spp. found?

Answer 28

Below the skin (subcutaneous). - around neck, face, chest of dogs, cats, rabbits, squirrels, mice. - or in stomach.

Question 29

What is the treatment method for Cuterebra spp.?

Answer 29

Very careful extraction of the larvae. Damaging it will release toxins, and may cause the animal to go into anaphylaxis. Once extracted, the would is treated with antimicrobials.