ANSWERS

1. Differentiate between insects and arachnids.
   • Insects - possess 3 pairs of legs and have a body divided into 3 segments (head, thorax and abdomen).
   • Arachnids - possess 4 pairs of legs and have a body divided in 2 segments (cephalothorax and abdomen).
2. List 3 insects that commonly infest domestic animals.
   • Dipteran fly larvae.
   • Fleas (Ctenocephalides Spp.).
   • Lice.
3. What is the name given to parasitism by dipteran fly larvae (the maggots of blue- black- and green-bottles)?
   Myiasis; commonly known as fly-strike or fly-blown.
4. What domestic species is most commonly affected by myiasis?
   The rabbit.
5. A client is adamant that her cat does not have fleas; how might you prove her wrong?
   Use the damp cotton wool test - sit the animal on a sheet of white paper and rub its coat vigorously. Collect sample from sheet of paper, remove any hair present and transfer to damp cotton wool. Any flea faeces present will stain the cotton wool red/brown. Even if adult fleas are not found on the animal, the presence of flea faeces indicates a household infestation.
6. Give examples of 2 conditions associated with flea infestation.
   • Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) / miliary dermatitis.
   • Haemobartonella felis.
7. List products suitable for the control of fleas.
   • Program (oral administration for cats and dogs or injectable for cats only) - Lufenuron.
   • Capstar (oral administration) - nitenpyram.
   • Advantage (spot-on) - Imidacloprid.
   • Frontline (spot-on/spray) - Fipronil.
   • Stronghold (spot-on).
   • Cyclio (spot-on)
   • Indorex (household spray).
   • Nuvan Staykil (household spray).
   • Vetkem Acclaim (household spray).
     NB. When using household sprays, remember to advise clients to spray all areas where the pet has access including the car!
8. Name 2 veterinary flea products that are safe and effective to use in rabbits.
   • Advantage (spot-on).
   • Xenix (spray).
9. What is the correct term for louse infestation?
   Pediculosis.
10. Name the 2 species of louse.
    • Biting louse (Trichodectes canis/Felicola subrostratus).
    • Sucking louse (Linognathus setosus).
11. What are louse eggs known as?
    Nits.
12. List 6 characteristics of lice.
    • Highly host specific.
    • Have no larval stage.
    • Young or debilitated animals are worst affected.
    • Infection is transmitted by close contact (lice spend their entire life cycle on the host).
    • Life cycle is 2-3 weeks.
    • Cause irritation, self inflicted dermatitis and in severe cases - anaemia.
13. List 3 ways in which the biting louse and sucking louse may be differentiated.
    • The biting louse is more yellow than the sucking louse which tends to be grey or reddish in colour.
    • The biting louse has a rounded head whilst that of the sucking louse is more elongated.
    • The biting louse has mandibular mouth parts whilst the sucking louse has piercing mouth parts.
14. What is the most common species of tick?
    Ixodes ricinus (the sheep tick).
15. Name the zoonotic disease associated with tick infestation.
    Lyme disease.
16. Describe how ticks should be removed.
    Use an effective insecticide and either wait for the ticks to die and drop off of their own accord or use a tick hook. Care must always be taken to avoid leaving the mouth parts embedded in the skin since this may cause infection.
17. Name the 2 main groups of mites.
    • Burrowing mites.
    • Surface mites.
18. List the 4 main types of burrowing mite seen in domestic animals.
    • Sarcoptes scabiei (mainly affects dogs, but occasionally cats).
    • Notoedres sp. (mainly affects cats but also seen in dogs and rats).
    • Cnemidocoptes spp.
    • Demodex.
19. What is the name of the burrowing mite responsible for causing "scaly face/leg" in birds (particularly budgerigars)?
    Cnemidocoptes.
20. What is the name of the burrowing mite found in the guinea pig?
    Trixocarus caviae.
21. List the 4 main types of surface mite seen in domestic animals.
    • Otodectes cynotis - the ear mite.
    • Cheyletiella - the "walking dandruff mite".
    • Trombicula autumnalis - the harvest mite.
    • Dermanyssus - the red mite.
22. What species is most commonly affected by Dermanyssus mites?
    Chickens.
23. List 6 ectoparasites that are zoonotic.
    • Ctenocephalides (fleas).
    • Dipteran flies.
    • Cheyletiella (walking dandruff mite).
    • Ixodes (ticks).
    • Sarcoptes (canine scabies mite).
    • Notoedres (feline scabies mite).
    • Otodectes cynotis (ear mite) may occasionally be zoonotic.
24. List 3 ectoparasites that are host specific.
    • Linognathus (sucking louse).
    • Trichodectes (biting louse).
    • Demodex (mange mite).