Recommendations from the Companion Animal Parasite Council …€¦ · Otodectes cynotis (Ear...

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Ticks and other mites are collectively classifi ed into the arachnid subclass/order Acari (or Acarina). Mites that parasitize animals are morphologically distinguishable (Figure 1): • Astigmatid mites that breathe directly through

a membrane-like cuticle (eg, Sarcoptes scabiei)• Prostigmatid mites that often have

morphologically distinct appearances (eg, Demodex canis)

• Small spider-like mesostigmatid mites that often crawl on surfaces

• Ticks, which many taxonomists think of as giant metastigmatid mites. Because these parasites have physiologic

similarities, the same molecules are often used for preventive and therapeutic treatments to control

a variety of acarine parasites; however, details on long-term control can vary according to the mites encountered.1–3

ASTIGMATID MITES Sarcoptes scabiei (Itch Mites)Different varieties of S scabiei infest a wide range of mammalian hosts.

Clinical Findings. These mites tunnel into the host epidermis, causing scabies, an intense, pruritic dermatitis with hyperkeratosis and alopecia. Some dogs develop a severe form of sarcoptic mange, crusted scabies, with large mite populations within profound hyperkeratosis.

Transmission. Infestations are transmitted through direct contact between animals or fomites

Recommendations from the Companion Animal Parasite Council

CANINE ARTHROPODS: MITES & TICKSR. William Stich, MS, PhD I. Craig Prior, BVSc, CVJUniversity of Missouri Murphy Road Animal Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee

The mission of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is to foster animal and human health, while preserving the human–animal bond, through recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of parasitic infections. For more information, including detailed parasite control recommendations, please visit capcvet.org.

FIGURE 1. Mites that parasitize dogs: The astigmatid mites, Sarcoptes scabiei (A) and Otodectes cynotis (B), have a sack-like structure and can be identifi ed to species level by careful examination of legs and tegument. Prostigmatid mites have distinct structures; for example, the cigar-shape appearance of Demodex (C) and hook-like palps of Cheyletiella (D). Mesostigmatid mites possess long legs, as in Ornithonyssus species (E), that give them a spider-like appearance. Courtesy National Center for Veterinary Parasitology and CAPC

A B C D E

Learn MoreRead Canine Arthropods: Class Insecta—Recommendations from the Companion Animal Parasite Council in the November/December 2014 issue of Today’s Veterinary Practice, available at tvpjournal.com.

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(eg, clipper blades). S scabiei does not have an environmental stage, but there are reports of their survival for several days off of the host.

Diagnosis. Diagnosis of scabies involves visualization of Sarcoptes mites in skin scrapings, which need to be deep enough to examine the full thickness of the epidermis (ie, to produce blood-tinged samples).

S scabiei can be present despite repeated negative skin scrapings. Anecdotally, the ear itch refl ex can be more helpful in presumptive diagnosis than skin scrapings. Empirical treatment and monitoring for response to treatment may be justifi ed if mites are not seen but lesions strongly suggest sarcoptic mange.

Treatment. Several fl ea- and tick-control products are also labeled for preventing, treating, or aiding in treatment/control of canine sarcoptic mange; the active ingredients are listed in Table 1.

Otodectes cynotis (Ear Mites)Clinical Findings & Diagnosis. Infection with O cynotis—which infest the external ear canal and surrounding skin of dogs, cats, and ferrets—results in head shaking, ear scratching, and infl ammation of ear canals. These mites can be observed with an otoscope or by ear canal swabs.

Treatment. Selamectin is labeled for treatment of canine and feline O cynotis infestations. Secondary bacterial or fungal infections can be present, and these conditions should also be treated when suspected.

PROSTIGMATID MITES Demodex canis (Mange Mites) The cigar-shaped Demodex species is a common parasite of mammals, and mites are usually present in low numbers within hair follicles or sebaceous glands.

Clinical Findings. Demodectic mange in

dogs, often attributable to an overgrowth of Demodex mites, is a moderate to severe disease often associated with underlying systemic disease or a suppressed immune system, as described in more detail elsewhere.4,5 Demodectic mange can be exacerbated by secondary bacterial infections, resulting in a severe form of the disease known as red mange.

Diagnosis. Although easily identifi ed to the genus level, diagnosis of demodicosis requires careful microscopic examination of deep, blood-tinged skin scrapes from alopecic areas to observe the pale cigar-shaped mites.

Treatment. Localized demodicosis may resolve without treatment, or can be treated with rotenone-containing ointment. Generalized demodectic mange may require more aggressive therapy, along with comprehensive measures to address underlying causes of the disease and/or secondary bacterial pyoderma. Amitraz is the active ingredient of the product labeled for control of D canis.6

Cheyletiella yasguri (Hair-Clasping Mites)These nonburrowing mites appear as walking dandruff on the skin surface of dogs, and are readily distinguished microscopically by fang-like chitinous claws on their palps. These mites can cause exfoliative dermatitis; skin lesions may develop on people in close contact with infested dogs or cats. A product containing dinotefuran, permethrin, and pyriproxyfen is labeled for control of canine Cheyletiella infestations in the U.S., and off-label treatments are described elsewhere.7

MESOSTIGMATID MITESThis group includes mites that can become pests when brought into buildings by birds or rodents.

Pneumonyssoides caninum (Canine Nasal Mites)These non-burrowing mites feed on the keratin layer of epidermis in canine nasal and paranasal sinuses.

Clinical Findings & Diagnosis. Although heavy infestations can cause sneezing and epistaxis in some dogs, they are often diagnosed by chance. The relatively large adult mites (> 1 mm, with legs extending beyond edges of their bodies) are visible to the naked eye, and may be seen in nasal secretions or crawling in the nasal cavity during rhinoscopy.

Treatment. No drugs are currently approved

TABLE 1. Active Ingredients in Products Approved for Treatment/Control of Canine Sarcoptic Mange• Dinotefuran + permethrin + pyriproxyfen• Fipronil• Fipronil + amitraz • Fipronil + cyphenothrin• Flumethrin + imidacloprid• Moxidectin + imidacloprid• Pyrethrins• Rotenone • Selamectin



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for treatment of P caninum, but macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin, selamectin, moxidectin, and milbemycin oxime) are reportedly effective.8

TICKS (METASTIGMATIDS)Only about 10 of the approximately 850 known tick species have varying degrees of medical importance in the U.S. These include members of the tick families Argasidae (soft ticks) and Ixodidae (hard ticks), the latter of which are further divided into 2 subfamilies, with distinct biologic features that affect feeding behavior and vector competence.

Table 2 briefl y describes some of the tick-borne diseases and zoonoses that affect dogs in the U.S.

Argasidae (Soft Ticks)Soft-bodied ticks lack a sclerotinized dorsal scutum

and are further characterized by mouthparts that originate on the ventral surface, though these mouthparts may extend beyond the anterior to become visible from the dorsal surface (Figure 2, page 64).

Larval and nymphal stages of the one-host spinose ear tick—Otobius megnini—infest mammalian ear canals, including those of dogs and people. These ticks are not known to be a vector for pathogens but can cause a painful form of otoacariasis.

Members of another argasid genus, Ornithodoros, live in dwellings or bedding areas of their hosts, taking multiple short blood meals over the course of several months to several years. Ornithodoros species have not been demonstrated to parasitize dogs in the U.S.; however, they are known to

TABLE 2. Tick-Borne Diseases of Dogs & Cats in the U.S.DISEASE PATHOGEN PATHOGEN TYPE KNOWN/PUTATIVE

VECTOR(S)ZOONOTIC DISEASE?

American canine hepatozoonosis

Hepatozoon americanum

Protozoan(Apicomplexa)

Amblyomma maculatum

No

Canine babesiosis Babesia vogeliBabesia gibsoni


Rhipicephalus sanguineus

No

Canine hepatozoonosis Hepatozoon canis Protozoan(Apicomplexa)


No

Cyclic thrombocytopenia (anaplasmosis)

Anaplasma platys Rickettsiales(Anaplasmataceae)


No

Feline cytauxzoonosis Cytauxzoon felis Protozoan(Apicomplexa)

Dermacentor variabilis Amblyomma americanum

No

Granulocytic anaplasmosis

Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Rickettsiales(Anaplasmataceae)

Genus Ixodes Yes

Granulocytic ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichia ewingii Rickettsiales(Anaplasmataceae)

Amblyomma americanum

Yes

Human babesiosis* Babesia microti (and others)


Ixodes scapularis Yes

Lyme borreliosis Borrelia burgdorferi Spirochete Genus Ixodes Yes

Monocytic ehrlichiosis Ehrlichia canisRickettsiales

Rickettsiales(Anaplasmataceae)Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Dermacentor variabilis

No

Ehrlichia chaffeensis Amblyomma americanum

Yes

Ehrlichia muris–like agent

Ixodes scapularis Yes

Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Rickettsia rickettsii Rickettsiales(Rickettsiaceae)

Dermacentor variabilisRhipicephalus sanguineus

Yes

* With the exception of human babesiosis, etiologic agents of the zoonotic diseases in this table are reported to naturally infect dogs in the U.S. Among European dogs, a Babesia microti-like parasite has been reported; among dogs in the western U.S., the zoonotic agent Babesia conradae was reported.9



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FIGURE 3. Adult stages of ixodid tick species associated with U.S. dogs: Identifi cation should include evaluation of mouthpart length. Ixodes species (A), which can transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and probably the Ehrlichia muris–like agent, possess an anterior anal groove on the ventral surface (arrow) and long mouthparts; these long mouthparts differentiate A americanum (B) and A maculatum (C) from Dermacentor variabilis (D) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (E). Courtesy National Center for Veterinary Parasitology and CAPC

feed on dogs in other countries,10 and relapsing fever spirochetes vectored by Ornithodoros have been found in dogs from Florida,11 Texas,12 and Washington,13 suggesting that further investigation is warranted.

Ixodidae (Hard Ticks)Most of the important canine tick parasites are classifi ed within the family Ixodidae, which have partial (larvae, nymphae, and female adults) or complete (male adults) dorsal scuta, and mouthparts that originate at the anterior aspect (Figure 2). Ixodid ticks can directly affect dogs (eg, tick toxicosis/paralysis, injury to sensory organs, dermatitis, and anemia); however, pathogens transmitted by ixodid ticks are the major concern for dogs in the U.S. (Table 2).14,15

Table 3 describes the distribution, common hosts, and known pathogens transmitted by ixodid ticks most commonly reported to feed on dogs in the U.S.

Tick Identi� cationBecause different ticks transmit different disease agents, tick identifi cation can be useful (Figure 3), especially when evaluating the likelihood for different transmission scenarios and risk for host exposure.16

Fortunately, with the exception of A maculatum, identifi cation to genus level is usually suffi cient

A B C D E

Male

Female

FIGURE 2. Major groups and feeding stages of medically important ticks: Soft ticks (A) lack dorsal scuta and have mouthparts that originate on the ventral surface (arrow). The mouthparts of hard ticks (B) originate anteriorly, as seen from the dorsal surface (arrow). Hard tick larvae, nymphae, and female adults possess partial dorsal scuta, while male adults possess full dorsal scuta. Courtesy National Center for Veterinary Parasitology and CAPC

A

B



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TABLE 4. Morphologic Characteristics of Major Ixodid Genera in the U.S.GENUS BASIS

CAPITULUMSECOND PALP SEGMENT

FESTOONS ORNATE EYES

Ixodesa Rectangular Long Absent No No

Amblyomma Triangular Long Present Usually yes Yes

Haemaphysalisb Rectangular Short; lateral extension Present No No

Dermacentor Rectangular Short Present Usually yes Yes

Rhipicephalus Hexagonal Short Absentc Usually no Yes

a. Anterior anal groove is diagnostic for all 3 feeding stages of Ixodesb. Haemaphysalis in the U.S. are almost exclusively found on wildlifec. Caudal plates and anal shields can be confused with festoons

TABLE 3. Examples of Medically Important Ixodid Ticks in the U.S.SPECIES DISTRIBUTION COMMON HOSTS PATHOGEN

TRANSMISSIONLARVAE NYMPHS ADULTS

Amblyomma americanum

Central Texas to Florida; north to New York, New Jersey, and Maine; west to Michigan; south through central Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas

Quail, turkey, wrens, cats, dogs, coyotes, foxes, pigs, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, cattle, deer, people, other mammals

Same as larvae Cats, dogs, people, coyotes, raccoons, horses, cattle, sheep, deer

Cytauxzoon felisEhrlichia chaffeensisEhrlichia ewingii Possibly Francisella

tularensis and Rickettsia rickettsii

Amblyomma maculatum

Atlantic Coast south of Maryland, Gulf Coast states, Arkansas, Southern Missouri, central and eastern Oklahoma and Kansas

Small rodents and ground-dwelling birds (eg, quail, meadowlarks)

Similar to larval hosts; includes dogs

Birds, people, dogs, coyotes, bobcats, bears, rabbits, rodents, pigs, horses, cattle, deer, goats

Hepatozoon americanum

Rickettsia parkeri

Dermacentor andersoni

Rocky Mountain states: Eastern slopes of the Cascades, east to western edge of Great Plains, south to northern New Mexico and Arizona

Mice, voles, numerous small mammals

Cats, dogs, opossums, rabbits, raccoons

Dogs, coyotes, bears, horses, people, deer, cattle, sheep

Francisella tularensis Rickettsia rickettsii

Dermacentor variabilis

Florida to Maine, Atlantic coast to Western Plains States; sporadic along Pacifi c Coast

Mice, voles, numerous small mammals

Cats, dogs, opossums, rabbits, raccoons

Cats, dogs, coyotes, raccoons, horses, cattle, people, other large mammals

Cytauxzoon felis Francisella tularensis Rickettsia rickettsii

Ixodes pacifi cus Pacifi c coast; parts of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah

Small rodents, birds Small rodents, birds

Deer, dogs, coyotes, horses, people


Borrelia burgdorferi

Ixodes scapularis Maine to Florida, central Texas to Minnesota (≥ 35 states)

Rodents (eg, white-footed mice, shrews) and other small mammals, birds, lizards

Birds, rodents, opossums, raccoons, skunks, cats, people

Bobcats, coyotes, dogs, foxes, opossums, raccoons, people, horses, cattle, deer, other mammals


Babesia microti Borrelia burgdorferi Possibly, Ehrlichia

muris–like agent


Throughout North America and Hawaii—very common in southeastern and West Coast states; appears to be intolerant of cold; persists in temperate areas by infesting buildings

Larvae, nymphs, and adults prefer to feed on dogs but are occasionally found on other mammals, including rodents, rabbits, cattle, and, on rare occasions, people

Babesia canis Ehrlichia canis Hepatozoon canis Rickettsia rickettsii Possibly Anaplasma

platys and Babesia gibsoni



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to determine which infections are not considered transmissible by a tick, and minimal practice is needed to identify most adult ticks with the aid of a dissecting microscope or magnifying glass (Table 4, page 65). For example:• All but the genus Ixodes can be eliminated

as potential vectors of B burgdorferi, A phagocytophilum, and probably the E muris–like agent.

• Similarly, ticks outside the genus Amblyomma are unlikely vectors of E ewingii or H americanum.

• Ticks outside the genus Rhipicephalus do not transmit B vogeli.

• Ticks outside the genera Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor are not known to transmit E canis.

Tick Control As previously indicated, controlling diseases caused by tick-borne pathogens is the most important reason for tick control. Historically, the most successful approaches to vector-borne disease control have used procedures that limited vector access to susceptible hosts. Given the diversity of pathogens that ticks transmit to dogs, this is particularly true for canine tick-borne disease.

Canine Lyme borreliosis, for example, may be prevented with the aid of several commercially available vaccines, and the decision to use such vaccines is warranted in areas where Lyme disease is endemic. However, certain etiologic agents of anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis are adapted to the same Ixodes species that transmit Borrelia burgdorferi; therefore, tick control is still necessary to protect susceptible hosts from these additional pathogens.

Effective tick control is approached from different perspectives, which include measures to reduce tick populations in the host environment as well as on individual hosts.

Environment. Steps to place barriers between

ticks and domestic habitats limit canine (and human) exposure to ticks introduced from outside the household, which include: • Fences can exclude wildlife and stray pets that

may introduce parasites into a dog’s habitat. • Controlling potential food sources, such

as garbage, pet food, or vegetation, limits attraction of tick amplification hosts, such as raccoons, opossums, or deer, to the peridomestic environment.

• Laying mulch in transition areas between wooded areas and lawns limits tick migration into the lawn and provides a zone for concentrated application of residual pesticides to control ticks.

• As with most parasites, desiccation of free-living stages is a valuable control measure; desiccation of unattached ticks is promoted by cutting grass and by removing debris, such as leaf litter, that could provide microhabitats that, in turn, promote off-host survival of ticks. Dogs. Individual hosts can be further protected

by preventing them from roaming into areas frequented by animals unprotected from tick infestation, and ticks found on pets should be removed immediately to limit the likelihood of pathogen transmission.

The array of effective tick preventives on the market is expanding. These products (Table 5) contain one broad range molecule, or a

WILLIAM STICHR. William Stich, MS, PhD, is a professor of parasitology at the University of Mis-souri Department of Veterinary Patho-biology. Dr. Stich served as president for the Conference of Research Work-ers in Animal Diseases and as a council-or for the Society of Tropical Veterinary Medicine. He currently serves on the CAPC Board of Directors and as Edi-tor in Chief of Animal Health Research Reviews. Dr. Stich received his MS and PhD in veterinary parasitology from Oklahoma State University.

I. CRAIG PRIORI. Craig Prior, BVSc, CVJ, is the own-er and medical director of Murphy Road Animal Hospital, in Nashville, Tennessee, and a member of the CAPC Board of Directors. He shares his knowledge through speaking en-gagements throughout the country and guest appearances with various media outlets. Dr. Prior received his veterinary degree from University of Queensland (Australia).

TABLE 5. Molecules in Products Labeled to Kill and/or Repel Ticks on Dogs• Afoxolaner• Amitraz• Fipronil• Fluralaner• Pyrethroids (synthetic pyrethrins, such as

deltamethrin, fl umethrin, or permethrin)• Selamectin



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combination of molecules, that kill and/or repel ticks.17 Although choosing from the many effective tick preventives can be challenging, the option of switching to a product based on a different molecule or drug class helps ensure that an effi cacious solution is always found.

Note that several of these products can be toxic, and subsequently lethal, to cats, so it is critical to carefully check labels to ensure that the right product is applied to the appropriate host species.

CAPC recommends year-round application of these safe, affordable products to protect pets against unexpected exposure to ticks, even outside of tick season. Additional, in-depth, and regularly updated information regarding parasitic disease control guidelines is available at capcvet.org.

References1. Arther RG. Mites and lice: Biology and control. Vet Clin North Am

Small Anim Pract 2009; 39(6):1159-1171, vii.2. Dryden MW. Flea and tick control in the 21st century: Challenges and

opportunities. Vet Dermatol 2009; 20(5-6):435-440.3. Blagburn BL, Dryden MW. Biology, treatment, and control of fl ea

and tick infestations. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2009; 39(6):1173-1200, viii.

4. Gortel K. Update on canine demodicosis. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2006; 36(1):229-241, ix.

5. Singh SK, Dimri U. The immuno-pathological conversions of canine demodicosis. Vet Parasitol 2014; 203(1-2):1-5.

6. Mueller RS, Bensignor E, Ferrer L, et al. Treatment of demodicosis in dogs: 2011 clinical practice guidelines. Vet Dermatol 2012; 23(2): 86-96.

7. Ghubash R. Parasitic miticidal therapy. Clin Techniq Small Anim Pract 2006; 21(3):135-144.

8. Kuehn NF. Canine nasal mites. In Aiello SE (ed): The Merck Veterinary Manual. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, 2012, p v.

9. Esch KJ, Petersen CA. Transmission and epidemiology of zoonotic protozoal diseases of companion animals. Clin Microbiol Rev 2013; 26(1):58-85.

10. Reck J, Marks FS, Guimaraes JA, et al. Epidemiology of Ornithodoros brasiliensis (mouro tick) in the southern Brazilian highlands and the description of human and animal retrospective cases of tick parasitism. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2013; 4(1-2):101-109.

11. Schwan TG, Raffel SJ, Schrumpf ME, et al. Phylogenetic analysis of the spirochetes Borrelia parkeri and Borrelia turicatae and the potential for tick-borne relapsing fever in Florida. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43(8):3851-3859.

12. Whitney MS, Schwan TG, Sultemeier KB, et al. Spirochetemia caused by Borrelia turicatae infection in 3 dogs in Texas. Vet Clin Pathol 2007; 36(2):212-216.

13. Kelly AL, Raffel SJ, Fischer RJ, et al. First isolation of the relapsing fever spirochete, Borrelia hermsii, from a domestic dog. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2014; 5(2):95-99.

14. Nicholson WL, Allen KE, McQuiston JH, et al. The increasing recognition of rickettsial pathogens in dogs and people. Trends Parasitol 2010; 26(4):205-212.

15. Little SE, Heise SR, Blagburn BL, et al. Lyme borreliosis in dogs and humans in the USA. Trends Parasitol 2010; 26(4):213-218.

16. Stich RW, Schaefer JJ, Bremer WG, et al. Host surveys, ixodid tick biology and transmission scenarios as related to the tick-borne pathogen, Ehrlichia canis. Vet Parasitol 2008; 158(4):256-273.

17. Companion Animal Parasite Council. Product applications for dogs. Available at capcvet.org/resource-library/parasite-product-applications-for-dogs.

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