1. The good, the bad and the itchy…
Ectoparasites
The good, the bad and the itchy…

2. Definitions.. Ecto- Outside
Parasite- organism that survives either by living inside or outside of another living thing.
Transmission- how disease is contracted or passed to others
Infestation- invasion or overrun by parasites

3. Fleas Ctenophilides Cati
Transmission: Animal to animal, in carpets, floors, bedding
Diseases: anemia, tapeworms, bartonellosis (cat scratch fever)
Signs/symptoms: itching especially around hind end and behind ears
Prevention: Topicals
Flea allergy: allergic to saliva

4. Ticks Deer tick or black legged tick: Ixodex scapularis
Many different kinds of ticks, but deer tick is main carrier of Lyme disease.
Transmission: High grass, wooded areas
Diseases: RMSF, Lyme, Ehrlichia, Babesia
Prevention: Topicals, amitraz collar(Preventic), treat yard

5. Ear Mites Transmitted: cat to cat, not common in dogs
Signs/symptoms: black discharge, itchy ears
Diagnosis: Looking at ear discharge under microscope for mites or mite parts
Treatment: Cleaning, then drops of parasiticide (Tresaderm) and/or injection
Genderless deutonymph mates with adult male

6. Sarcoptic Mange ZOONOTIC Dogs: Sarcoptes scabei “scabies”
Cats: Notoedres cati, facial itching & scabs
Transmission: from bedding or infected animal
Signs/ symptoms: Red, itchy lesions on tips of ears, inguinal area, elbows
Diagnosis: Skin Scraping
Treatment- ivermectin injections and/or oral ivermectin

7. Demodectic Mange Not zoonotic Demodex canis Autoimmune disease
Demodex cati & Demodex gatoi not as common
Autoimmune disease
Mites are on all animals naturally
Pup that shows symptoms most likely has underdeveloped or suppressed immune system
Transmission: contact with mother
Signs/ symptoms: hair loss on feet, legs, face
Three forms
Localized, Generalized and Pododermatitis

8. Demodectic Mange “Demodex”
Localized
Localized means 4 legions or less
Often on face (around eyes)
Thought of as “puppy disease”
90% self limiting & 10% become generalized
Generalized
Adult onset or juvenile onset
Body is covered with bald spots and lesions
Pododermatitis
Confined to the paws
Very resistant
Old English Sheepdogs & Sharpeis

9. Demodectic Mange Diagnosis: Skin scraping Treatment
Minimize stress, current on physicals & vaccines
Ivermectin injections, oral parasiticide and dips
Prognosis: Good for dogs under 1½ years but more difficult with adult dog, relapse
Dogs with Demodex
(especially generalized)
should NOT be bred!

10. Ringworm Fungus- not a parasite!! Dermatophytosis
Transmitted: skin contact with spore
Spores are on hair and skin
ZOONOTIC
Signs/symptoms
On people: circular hairless red patches-itchy
On animals: dry, grey, scaly patch
Diagnosis: woods light, fungal culture

11. Ringworm Treatment: Certain cat breeds more susceptible
Lime sulfur dips
Griseofulvin (Fulvicin) or Itraconazole (Sporonox)
antifungal ointments
Disinfect house (constantly shedding spores)
Bleach 1:10 on all surfaces kills 80%
Vacuum or wash everything else
Confine pet until negative
Certain cat breeds more susceptible
Persians and Himalayans

12. Lice Species Specific, 2 main categories
Mallophaga- chewing lice
Anoplura- sucking lice
Transmission: Direct or indirect contact, fomites

13. Lice 3 types- Signs/symptoms- Diagnosis- Treatment-
Trichodectes canis- chewing louse of dogs=- carries Dipylidium (tapeworm)
Felicola substotratus- chewing louse of cats (wild cats)
Lignathus setosus-sucking louse of dogs
Signs/symptoms-
Itching, hair loss
Diagnosis-
Clinical signs or seeing nits
Treatment-
Flea control chemicals- fipronil, imidiclopramid, selemectin

14. Prevention & Treatment
Advantage (Imidacloprid)
Advantage multi (Imidacloprid + Mexidectin)
K-9 Advantix (Imidacloprid + Permethrin)
Capstar (Nitenpyram)
Comfortis (Spinosad)
Frontline (Fipronil)
Frontline Plus (Fipronil + Methoprene)
Heartgard (Ivermectin)
Heartgard Plus (Ivermectin + pyrantel)
Interceptor (Milbemycin)
Program (Lufenuron)
Promeris (Metaflumizole)
Revolution (Selamectin)