PA5: Lice & fleas

Question 1

What kind of parasites are lice?

Answer 1

Arthropods that are permanent obligate parasites, that are highly-host & site specific.

Question 2

What is a biting/chewing lice called?

Answer 2

Mallophaga

Question 3

What is a sucking lice called?

Answer 3

Anoplura

Question 4

General characteristics of mallophaga

Answer 4

Mouthparts specialised for biting at skin
Move quickly
Have small claws
Head is broader than thorax

Question 5

General characteristics of anoplura

Answer 5

Mouthparts specialised for piercing skin & sucking blood
Large claws for more permanent attachment.
Head is narrower than thorax

Question 6

How do lice find their feeding sites?

Answer 6

Use antennae if they have them to find feeding sites by noticing warmth & smell
Some lice feed in clusters & attract each other by pheromones.

Question 7

Transmission of lice

Answer 7

Direct/close contact between hosts

Question 8

What are the consequences of anoplura infestation?

Answer 8

Anaemia

Question 9

What are the consequences of mallophaga infestation?

Answer 9

Skin irritation, alopecia, pruritus, hide damage.

Question 10

How are eggs adapted to survival?

Answer 10

They are glued to the host & resistant to desiccation & grooming.

Question 11

Characteristics of Felicola subrostratus

Answer 11

Found in cats
Mallophaga
Triangular shaped head

Question 12

Characteristics of Trichodectes canis

Answer 12

Found in dogs
Mallophaga
Broad head & short legs
Cluster around body orifices & moist wounds.
Intermediate host of tapeworm

Question 13

Characteristics of Bovicola bovis

Answer 13

Found in cattle
Mallophaga
Broad head & slender legs
Adults can live up to 10 weeks
Can switch between sexual & asexual reproduction
Cause alopecia, hide damage, pruritus.

Question 14

Characteristics of Linognathus vituli

Answer 14

Found in cattle
Anoplura
Elongated head & body, stout legs
Adult females lay 1 egg/day
Transmission of anaplasmosis & theileriosis

Question 15

Characteristics of Haematopinus suis

Answer 15

Found in pigs
Anoplura
Long & narrow head & mouthpart
Adults live ~4 weels
Cause anaemia, restlessness, decreased weight gain, skin damage.
Vectors for African swine fever, Eperythozoon suis, swine poxvirus

Question 16

How do fleas feed?

Answer 16

Sawing mouthparts cut into skin & sucking mouthparts suck blood.

Question 17

Optimal environmental conditions

Answer 17

Temp: 30°C
Humidity: 70-80%

Question 18

What environmental condition kills fleas?

Answer 18

Freezing temperature for > 2 days + exposure to sunlight.

Question 19

How are fleas adapted to survive host defences?

Answer 19

Tough coat to resist desiccation
Backwardly spine + combs on back to avoid removal by grooming
Feed rapidly & frequently to avoid causing dermal hypersensitivity.

Question 20

How is the presence of fleas diagnosed?

Answer 20

Flea comb
Flea faeces can be identified by squishing it on white paper –> it will leave a red-brown stain if positive.
Clinical signs on dog & owner
Positive response to flea treatment

Question 21

Management of fleas

Answer 21

Vacuuming to eliminate reservoirs
Kill adult fleas with monthly spot-on treatment
Alleviate pruritus with glucocorticoids

Question 22

State the dog fleas.

Answer 22

Ctenocephalides felis (most common & zoonotic)
Archaeopsyllus erinacei
Ctenocephalides canis

Question 23

State the cat fleas.

Answer 23

Ctenocephalides felis (most common)
Spilopsyllus cuniculi
Archaeopsyllus erinacei

Question 24

State the poultry fleas

Answer 24

Ceratophyllus gallinae
Echidnophaga gallinacae

Question 25

What pathogens do fleas transmit?

Answer 25

Ctenocephalides spp. transmit Dipylidium caninum (tapeworm). Ctenocephalides spp. can also transmit Yersinia pestis (bacteria). Spylopsyllus cuniculi transmits myxoma virus.