Parasites of Dogs Parasites of Dogs and Catsand CatsPart 2: Arthropods and ProtozoaPart 2: Arthropods and Protozoa

InsectsInsects

Trichodectes canis (Biting louse)Trichodectes canis (Biting louse) Linognathus setosus (Sucking louse)Linognathus setosus (Sucking louse) Ctenocephalides (Flea)Ctenocephalides (Flea) Cuterebra (Rodent Bot Fly)Cuterebra (Rodent Bot Fly)

Trichodectes canis Trichodectes canis (Biting louse)(Biting louse)

Found as felicola sustratus in the catFound as felicola sustratus in the cat Cause roughened hair coat, itching and Cause roughened hair coat, itching and

dermatitisdermatitis May act as intermediate host to May act as intermediate host to

Dipylidium caninumDipylidium caninum

Linognathus setosus Linognathus setosus (Sucking louse of dogs)(Sucking louse of dogs)

Causes skin irritation, itching, dermatitis, Causes skin irritation, itching, dermatitis, alopecia, anemia, roughened hair coatalopecia, anemia, roughened hair coat

Usually transmitted by direct contact, but Usually transmitted by direct contact, but all life stages may be transmitted by all life stages may be transmitted by fomitesfomites

Are species specificAre species specific

Ctenocephalides (Flea)Ctenocephalides (Flea)

Infest dogs and catsInfest dogs and cats Vector for Dipylidium caninum, tularemia, Vector for Dipylidium caninum, tularemia,

plague, etc.plague, etc. Die at temperatures below 20 F for 48 Die at temperatures below 20 F for 48

hours or at temperatures above 120 for hours or at temperatures above 120 for several daysseveral days

Over 200 species of fleas worldwideOver 200 species of fleas worldwide Severe infestations can cause anemiaSevere infestations can cause anemia

Cuterebra (Rodent Bot Cuterebra (Rodent Bot Fly)Fly)

Infests rodents, companion animals and Infests rodents, companion animals and occasionally humansoccasionally humans

Larval stage that infests skinLarval stage that infests skin Acts as an irritantActs as an irritant Migration may be fatalMigration may be fatal Have a cutaneous lump with a breathing holeHave a cutaneous lump with a breathing hole Use care when extracting as crushing larva Use care when extracting as crushing larva

may result in anaphylaxismay result in anaphylaxis

ArachnidsArachnids

Sarcoptes scabiei (Scabies)Sarcoptes scabiei (Scabies) Demodex canis (Demodectic mange)Demodex canis (Demodectic mange) Otodectes cynotis (Ear mites)Otodectes cynotis (Ear mites) Cheyletiella (Walking dander mite)Cheyletiella (Walking dander mite) Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Brown dog tick)Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Brown dog tick) Dermacentor variabilis (American Dog tick)Dermacentor variabilis (American Dog tick) Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick)Amblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick)

Sarcoptes Scabiei Sarcoptes Scabiei (Scabies)(Scabies)

Found as Notoedres cati in catsFound as Notoedres cati in cats Causes intense itching, dry and Causes intense itching, dry and

thickened skin.thickened skin. Is contagious to humans and other petsIs contagious to humans and other pets Mites burrow under the skin so may be Mites burrow under the skin so may be

difficult to diagnosedifficult to diagnose Diagnose through a skin scrapingDiagnose through a skin scraping Usually have “ventral blowout”Usually have “ventral blowout”

Demodex canis Demodex canis (Demodectic Mange)(Demodectic Mange)

Rare in catsRare in cats Causes areas of alopecia on head, neck, Causes areas of alopecia on head, neck,

forelimbs.forelimbs. Can be localized or generalized.Can be localized or generalized. Diagnosed with skin scraping.Diagnosed with skin scraping. Is not contagiousIs not contagious Small numbers considered normal on skin floraSmall numbers considered normal on skin flora Genetic predispositionGenetic predisposition

Otodectes cynotis (Ear Otodectes cynotis (Ear mites)mites)

Intense pruritis of the ear canal.Intense pruritis of the ear canal. Can be found on any area of the bodyCan be found on any area of the body Feed on epidermal debris and are easily Feed on epidermal debris and are easily

transmittedtransmitted

Cheyletiella (Walking Cheyletiella (Walking Dander mite)Dander mite)

Causes mild alopecia and pruritisCauses mild alopecia and pruritis May cause dermatitis in humansMay cause dermatitis in humans Ingest keratin debris and tissue fluidsIngest keratin debris and tissue fluids Have enormous hook like accessory Have enormous hook like accessory

mouthpartsmouthparts Are visible to the naked eyeAre visible to the naked eye

Rhipicephalus sanuineus Rhipicephalus sanuineus (Brown dog tick)(Brown dog tick) Vector for canine Vector for canine

babesiosis and babesiosis and canine canine ehrlichiosisehrlichiosis

May cause May cause anemia or tick anemia or tick paralysis when paralysis when found in large found in large numbersnumbers

Dermacentor Variabilis Dermacentor Variabilis (American Dog Tick)(American Dog Tick)

Feeds on small mammals but can also Feeds on small mammals but can also feed on dogs and humansfeed on dogs and humans

Vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tularemia, and can cause tick Fever, tularemia, and can cause tick paralysis in animals and humansparalysis in animals and humans

Anblyomma americanum Anblyomma americanum (Lone Star tick)(Lone Star tick)

Gets name from white Gets name from white spot on apex of scutumspot on apex of scutum

Feeds on animals and Feeds on animals and humanshumans

May be vector for Rocky May be vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Mountain Spotted Fever and tularemia.and tularemia.

Vector of EhrlichiaVector of Ehrlichia

ProtozoaProtozoa

Neospora caninum (Neospora)Neospora caninum (Neospora) Isopora (Coccidia)Isopora (Coccidia) Giardia canis (Giardia)Giardia canis (Giardia) Toxoplasma gondii (Toxo)Toxoplasma gondii (Toxo) Sarcocystis (Sarcocystis)Sarcocystis (Sarcocystis)

Neospora caninum Neospora caninum (Neospora)(Neospora)

Transmitted Transmitted transplacentally or transplacentally or orallyorally

May cause ascending May cause ascending paralysisparalysis

A type of coccidiaA type of coccidia

Isopora (Coccidia)Isopora (Coccidia)

Diarrhea in kittens and puppies. Diarrhea in kittens and puppies. May be fatalMay be fatal One of most commonly diagnosed One of most commonly diagnosed

protozan disorders in puppies and protozan disorders in puppies and kittens. kittens.

Rarely a problem in mature animalsRarely a problem in mature animals Very small in comparison to other Very small in comparison to other

parasitesparasites

Toxoplasma gondii (Toxo)Toxoplasma gondii (Toxo)

May cause May cause transient transient diarrhea in diarrhea in catscats

Highly Highly pathogenic pathogenic to humans, to humans, especially especially fetus in fetus in uteroutero

Sarcocystis Sarcocystis

Not very Not very pathogenic pathogenic in catsin cats

Very Very pathogenic pathogenic in sheepin sheep

Giardia canis (Giardia)Giardia canis (Giardia)

Causes diarrheaCauses diarrhea Occur as cysts or Occur as cysts or

trophozoites in fecal trophozoites in fecal flotation.flotation.

May also be tested May also be tested for through a snap for through a snap test now available.test now available.