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Ectoparasites

CASE #1

Ear Mites: Otodectes cynotis

Ear Mites

 Otodectes cynotis – live on skin surface in external ear canals  Feed on epidermal debris  Clinical Signs: Brown-black, crusty exudate  Very pruritic, may have excoriations around ears

Ear Mites  Diagnosis:  Combine exudate w/mineral oil, observe under microscope  Sometimes otoscopic exam will reveal moving debris & mites  Treatment:  Clean ears prior to topical medications  Topical ear medications  Otomite, Mitaclear, topical Ivermectin, revolution, tresaderm

Ear Mites  Client info:  Eggs hatch every 10 days  Highly contagious, treat all animals in house  No human infection

EAR MITES Revolution (selamectin) Mita clear Milbemite (Milbemycin)

CASE #2

Flea allergy dermatitis Common presentation of flea allergy dermatitis in the dog

Miliary Dermatitis Common presentation of flea allergy dermatitis in cats

Fleas  Ctenocephalides felis – The cat flea is the most commonly isolated flea from dogs and cats  Flea saliva highly antigenic=> flea bite allergic dermatitis  Clinical Signs  Scratching/biting skin  Alopecia: Dog – affects base of tail and caudal thighs initially, then generalizes  Cat- miliary dermatitis  Flea dirt (flea feces) in hair coat  Dx: Find fleas or flea dirt

The Flea Fleas are very flat from side to side. They have 3 pairs of legs. The most caudal pair is designed for jumping.

Flea Life Cycle (Ctenocephalides felis)  Adult life span: 6-12 months  Female produces avg. of eggs/day (up to 50)  Egg production only after blood meal  Incubation period: 2-12 days  Larval stage (needs humidity)  feed on organic material and flea waste  2 molts, then the larva pupates (spins a cocoon)  Lasts usually days  Pupal stage  Most resistant  Lasts days to months dependent on environmental factors

Flea Life Cycle

Fleas  Systemic (spot-ons, injectable, tablets)  Advantage (imidacloprid)- once a month spot-on; causes CNS paralysis and death of the flea  Program: (Lufenuron -oral in dogs; injectable in cats);  Interferes with production of chitin (hard shell)  Frontline (fipronil) - once a month spot-on; causes CNS paralysis or death  Sentinel (Lufenuron + milbemycin)  Once a month oral tablet (also heartworm preventive); inhibits chitin formation  Revolution (Selamectin) – once a month spot-on; causes CNS paralysis and death; effective for heartworms, sarcoptes, ear mites, intestinal parasites in dogs and cats  Comfortis (spinosad) - once a month ORAL tablet; causes CNS paralysis and death

Fleas  Client Info  Treat environment and animal  Fleas spend most of time off host  Foggers + vacuum well  Prefer animals but will feed on humans  All animals must be treated  Skin damage/dermatitis can occur