Bur, 2012
Bur, 2012
Bur, 2012
Related terms:
Parasitic Diseases
Stacy Pritt, ... Heather Sedlacek, in The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and
Other Rodents, 2012
Etiology
Notoedres cati is referred to in older literature sources as Notoedres minor cuniculi.
Sarcoptes scabiei (Figure 15.11) is also known as the itch or scab mite (Hofing and
Kraus, 1994). It is thought that S. scabiei from different host species are separate
varieties, however this is still being debated (Schoeb et al., 2007). It is also thought
that host specificity has arisen in the parasite so that, for example, S. scabiei infecting
a human would spread more readily to another human. Interspecies transmission
does still occur, however resulting dermatitis may be atypical and transient (Bow-
man, 2009).
Figure 15.11. Sarcoptes scabei. A is male and B is female. Viewed from the underside
(from Farmers Bulletin 1568, revised 1931;from Canestrini 1894. Used with permis-
sion from the University of North Texas Libraries, Digital Collection)
Clinical Signs
I. Lesions first appear on the medial, proximal margin of the pinnae.
II. Lesions rapidly spread to the rest of the ear, face, eyelids, and neck.
III. Feet and perineum may be affected, and lesions can become widespread.
IV.
Lesions consist of thickened, wrinkled skin with tightly adherent gray to yellow
crusts.
V. Intense pruritus may lead to self-mutilation and secondary bacterial infections.
Diagnosis
I. Demonstration of the mite on skin scraping
Differential Diagnosis
I. Otodectic mange, cheyletiellosis
Treatment
I. All cats in the household are treated.
II. Crusts and debris are removed with a mild shampoo, then lime sulfur (2% to
3%) dip is applied weekly for six to eight treatments.
III. Ivermectin may also be given 0.2 to 0.3 mg/kg PO, SC every 2 weeks for three
treatments.
IV. Selamectin can be applied topically for two applications, 4 weeks apart.
Monitoring of Animal
I. If no response to treatment is seen, then evaluate the animal for recurrence.
II. If recurrence has occurred, the animal may be reinfested from the environment
or from untreated dogs, cats, or rabbits.
Mites (Acari)
Gary R. Mullen, Barry M. OConnor, in Medical and Veterinary Entomology (Third
Edition), 2019
MITES (Acari)
GARY R. MULLEN, BARRY M. OCONNOR, in Medical and Veterinary Entomology,
2002
All stages of sarcoptic mange mites occur on the host. The females burrow into the
skin to lay eggs. Young larvae can also be found in the skin, whereas older larvae,
nymphs, and males reside on the skin surface. Mites feed on lymph and epithelial
cells (Hofing and Kraus, 1994).
Skin Diseases
Molly Varga BVetMed DZooMed MRCVS, in Textbook of Rabbit Medicine (Second
Edition), 2014
Features
Feline scabies is a disease that is caused by Notoedres cati, a sarcoptic mite that
burrows superficially in the skin. In multiple-cat households and catteries, more
than one cat is usually affected. Wild life, including squirrels, can serve as a source
of infection. The condition is rare in cats.
Feline scabies is noted as intensely pruritic, dry, crusted lesions that usually first
appear on the medial edges of ear pinnae and then spread rapidly over the ears, head,
face, and neck. Lesions may subsequently spread to the feet and perineum. Infested
skin becomes thickened, lichenified, alopecic, crusted, or excoriated. Peripheral
lymphadenomegaly is common. If untreated, lesions may spread over large areas
of the body, and anorexia, emaciation, and death may occur.
Ectoparasites
In Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Birds and Exotic Pets, 2013
Basic Information
Definition
• Major ectoparasites of rabbit include Cheyletiella parasitovorax, fleas, Notoe-
dres cati, Psoroptes cuniculi, and Sarcoptes scabei.
• Other ectoparasites include ticks, the fur mite Leporacarus gibbus (formerly
Listorphorus gibbus), Cuterebra cuniculi, lice (Haemodipsus ventricosus), and fly
larvae causing myiasis.
Synonyms
• C. parasitovorax = rabbit fur mite; “walking dandruff ”
• Fleas = Spilopsyllus cuniculi (rabbit fleas), Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea), Cteno-
cephalides canis (dog flea)
• Psoroptes cuniculi = rabbit ear mites
Epidemiology
Risk Factors
• Rabbits housed with other infected rabbits or with exposure to wild rabbits are
at risk of infestation.
• Rabbits housed with dogs or cats may be exposed to Ctenocephalides.
• Pregnant does and kits may be more prone to severe rabbit flea infestation
because ova of the flea mature only after the female feeds on a pregnant doe
late in gestation.
Clinical Presentation
• P. cuniculi are large, obligate, nonburrowing parasites with a 3-week life cycle
and an ability to survive off the host for up to 21 days.
• The life cycle of the flea is controlled by the hormonal cycle of the host (this
explains the sudden proliferation on pregnant does and young rabbits).
• H. ventricosus life cycle is 2 to 5 weeks
• Cuterebra cuniculi hatched larvae crawl into fur and enter host through a normal
orifice and migrate to a subcutaneous site.
Notoedric Acariasis
Background
Two species of Notoedres capable of infecting hamsters have been identified, Notoe-
dres cati, the cat mange mite, and Notoedres notoedres. These mites fall within the
family Sarcoptidae, along with Sarcoptes scabei. These mites, causes of notoedric
mange are no longer common parasites of laboratory animals. Literature of the
1940s and 1950s repeatedly reported cases within animal facilities (Wantland, 1955).
Today it exists as a pet hamster disease, but without cumulative data on its true
prevalence (Beco et al., 2001).
Etiology/Etiologic Agent
Notoedres spp. are small, round mites closely resembling Sarcoptes (Figure 32.16).
Female mites are larger than male mites (Table 32.3). Notoedres adults have posterior
limbs which do not protrude past the body margins (Leone, 2007). They also possess
blunt dorsal spines and a dorsal anus which aids in differentiating them from
Sarcoptes (Uzal et al., 2007). Males and females can be differentiated by the lack of a
mid-dorsal shield in females.
Figure 32.16. A photo of Notoedres mite characterized by a dorsal anus. Skin scrap-
ing; chloral lactophenol.Reproduced from Beco et al. 2001 with permission.
Epizootiology
Transmission is by direct contact between animals and presumably by contact with
infected bedding (Beco et al., 2001). The nymph and larval stages are the predom-
inant transmissible stages of this highly contagious disease. It will spread rapidly
within a colony if proper treatment strategies are not initiated. Unlike Sarcoptes,
Notoedres appears to have limited zoonotic potential.
Clinical Manifestations
The clinical signs of Notoedres infections are severe pruritus, erythema, crusts, ero-
sions, and hyperpigmentation (Beco et al., 2001). These lesions may be generalized,
but are more often found on ear pinnae, face, genitalia, tail, and limbs (Beco et al.,
2001) (Figure 32.17). These lesions may result in death within 2–3 months if left
untreated (Wagner, 1987).
Figure 32.17. A photo of a hamster with lesions of Notoedres infestation on its face
and feet. Severe crusting can be observed on the muzzle, ears, and extremities.Re-
produced from Beco et al. 2001 with permission.
Pathology
Infections with N. cati cause chronic inflammatory changes in the epidermis. Extrap-
olating from N. cati infections in other species, potential changes include hyperk-
eratosis and acanthosis along with inflammatory cells, cellular debris, and mites in
the epidermis (Uzal et al., 2007). One or more mites are found within tunnels in the
stratum corneum.
Pathogenesis/Life Cycle
The life cycle of Notoedres is not clearly understood (Uzal et al., 2007). Ova are
deposited within epidermal tunnels. These ova hatch into six-legged larvae within
3–4 days. These larvae undergo several more molts, transforming into eight-legged
nymphs in approximately a 3-day period. These nymphs continue to molt as they
burrow within the skin, eventually becoming adults. The entire cycle is estimated to
take 10–20 days (Baker, 2007; Wantland, 1955). All three mobile life stages can be
found on the skin.
Epidermal burrowing by mites causes pruritus and increases potential for secondary
bacterial infections following mechanical damage to the skin by mites and the host’s
attempts to alleviate discomfort through scratching.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made by observation of mites and fecal pellets on skin scrapings using
light microscopy (Beco et al., 2001).
The Ear1
Bradley L. Njaa, in Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease (Sixth Edition), 2017
E-Table 20-1. Ticks, Mites, and Nematodes Affecting the External or Middle Ears of
Animals
Modified from Thomson RG: Special veterinary pathology, Toronto, 1988, BC Deck-
er.
Otodectes Cynotis.
Otodectes cynotis infests the external acoustic meatus of domestic and wild cats,
dogs, and occasionally ruminants. The main route of infestation is from dam to
offspring. Other routes of spread include contaminated combs, brushes, bedding,
or other grooming accessories. They are nonburrowing and feed on the cerumen,
keratin, and lipids. These mites are a prominent primary cause of otitis externa with
up to 50% of cats and 10% of dogs developing otitis externa. They cause intense
irritation by mechanisms not well understood. Copious cerumen production ensues
until a thick, waxy, dark brown otorrhea (exudate) obstructs the external acoustic
meatus. Auricles are often alopecic and have “scratching” wounds from trauma
that form in response to intense pruritus. These areas may also become infected
secondarily with bacteria. The epidermis becomes acanthotic with parakeratotic
hyperkeratosis and crusts that contain mites and mite detritus mixed with cerumen.
Small to moderate numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages infiltrate the dermis
and subcutis. Ceruminous glands are typically hypertrophied and hyperplastic and
may contain cellular debris and neutrophils.
Although a majority of cats are infested, a minority manifest clinical disease, possibly
owing to early exposure as kittens and the development of Arthus- and immedi-
ate-type hypersensitivity reactions.
Notoedres Cati.
Notoedres cati is primarily a cat pathogen but can infest dogs, foxes, rabbits, and
rarely human beings. Usually infestations are restricted to the auricles, head, face,
neck, and shoulders. Infestation produces alopecia, pruritus, thick crusting, and
excoriation of the rostral pinnae as the female mite burrows in the stratum corneum
and occasionally penetrates hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Microscopic lesions
include epidermal hyperplasia and spongiosis with perivascular eosinophilic der-
matitis and crusting.
Raillietia Species.
Raillietia spp. of mites occur most commonly in cattle, buffalo, and goats of nearly
every continent. Cattle are most commonly parasitized by Raillietia auris, whereas the
mite infesting goat ears is Raillietia caprae. Raillietia flechtmanni is found in buffalo
and cattle ears. These mites often go undetected because of their small size and their
tendency to reside deep in the external acoustic meatus adjacent to the tympanic
membrane, and they do not commonly cause clinical disease. When clinically ap-
parent, there is often a thick plug of cerumen and debris, with variable suppuration,
behind which the mites reside. Additionally, the external acoustic meatus may be
ulcerated. Affected animals rarely may develop central nervous system signs related
to heavy infestations that penetrate the middle and internal ear. Otitis externa is
more severe with concurrent bacterial infections or if the host is additionally infected
with Rhabditis spp. of nematodes. In goats there are often concurrent infections with
R. caprae and pathogenic Mycoplasma spp.
Psoroptes cuniculi.
Ticks
Ticks and tick-borne diseases rank as some of the most important health constraints
of livestock in many parts of the world. Ticks serve as vectors for the spread of
disease, affect production parameters such as weight gain or milk production, can
lead to significant anemia, may impair individual or herd immunity, and can be
a source of aggravation or irritation. Sites of attachment and feeding may occur in
multiple locations, but many species of ticks have preferred sites. What follows is a
discussion of a few species of ticks that preferentially feed in the ears.
Rhipicephalus Species.
The brown ear tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, is found most commonly in south-
ern and southeastern African countries. Adults primarily attach to the ears of do-
mestic and wild ruminants, whereas larvae and nymphs attach to ears, head, and
neck of most ruminant species, as well as equids, carnivores, and hares. Bos indicus
cattle become fairly resistant to tick infestations, but exotic Bos taurus cattle can
have severe production losses and very significant ear damage. R. appendiculatus
secretes proteins in its saliva, some of which react with the host animal enzymes
to form a hard feeding cone and others have inherent enzymatic activity. The
protein that forms the cone is called cement, and it provides an anchor for feeding
ticks and may interfere with a robust inflammatory reaction by the host animal.
Affected ears can range from minimally injured to very deformed and sometimes
can appear shredded. Microscopically, at the feeding sites, neutrophils predominate
in the dermis immediately surrounding the brightly eosinophilic cement layer and
are also mixed with macrophages and variable numbers of eosinophils. Brown ear
tick toxicosis is a poorly understood condition that occurs in susceptible cattle,
presumably the result of tick saliva toxins. Some saliva-derived toxins have an
immunosuppressive effect, although the exact mechanism is not understood. These
animals may have suppression of adaptive immune responses and lose protection
against other environmental pathogens that they have encountered and resisted. In
some instances, tick toxicosis can be fatal.
Another tick that preferentially infests the ear is variably named the Gulf coast
tick or Gulf coast ear tick. Amblyomma maculatum is native to North, Central, and
South America. In North America, this tick can be found all along the Gulf coast,
extending as far inland as Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas, and along the southern
Atlantic coast. Adult ticks preferentially feed on cattle, sheep, horses, and mules by
attaching to the external ears but can also infest deer, cats, foxes, dogs, and pigs.
Heavy infestations cause intense auricular inflammation and swelling and may even
cause the destruction of the auricular cartilage, resulting in a droopy ear sometimes
referred to as “gotch ear”5 (Fig. 20-32). A. maculatum is an experimental vector for
transmitting Ehrlichia ruminantium, the causative agent for heartwater disease, but
it has not been implicated in field outbreaks in North America. It has also been shown
that the Gulf coast ear tick in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and
South Carolina may serve as a reservoir for Rickettsia parkeri.
5“Gotch ear” is a colloquial term with Spanish roots coined by cowboys and defined
as a type of earmark used to identify cattle that resulted in severe rostral, medial,
and ventral flexion of the auricle.
Otobius megnini, the “spinose ear tick,” has a broad host range, including ungulates,
sheep, goats, cattle, horses, dogs, and human beings. Adults are free living and
nonparasitic, but nymph and larval stages are parasitic. Newly hatched larvae remain
in the environment until they climb onto a suitable host. Owing to their small size
and propensity for living very deep in the external acoustic meatus, larvae are rarely
identified in host ears. As these ticks molt and mature, some can be found attached
to and blood feeding in the more shallow portions of the external acoustic meatus
or attached to the auricular skin (Fig. 20-33). After several months of feeding in or on
host ears, nymphs drop off the host, seeking dry, sheltered places where they molt
into adults. Lesions are attributable to blood feeding, which results in local irritation
and secondary otitis externa. As has already been described, local reactions to the
feeding sites include perivascular to interstitial dermatitis laden with neutrophils and
eosinophils. Infested animals may develop clinical symptoms such as head shaking
and pruritus related to nymph feeding on blood and lymph of the skin of the external
acoustic meatus.