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tvpjournal.com | March/April 2015 | TodAy's VeTerinAry PrAcTice PArAsiTe ProTocoLs For yoUr PrAcTice Peer reviewed 61 Ticks and other mites are collectively classifed 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 & tiCks R. William Stich, MS, PhD I. Craig Prior, BVSc, CVJ University 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 identifed 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 More Read 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.