Cheyletiella is a genus of mites that live on the skin surface of dogs,[2] cats,[3] and rabbits.[4]

Cheyletiella
"Cheyletiella yasguri" (?) from a dog
Cheyletiella yasguri (?) from a dog
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Actinedida
Family: Cheyletidae
Genus: Cheyletiella
G. Canestrini, 1886
Species[1]
Synonyms
  • Ewingella
  • Bicheyletiella

The adult mites are about 0.385 millimeters long, have eight legs with combs instead of claws, and have palpi that end in prominent hooks.[5] They do not burrow into the skin, but live in the keratin level. Their entire 21-day life cycle is on one host. They cannot survive off the host for more than 10 days.[6]

Cheyletiellosis

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Cheyletiellosis (also known as Cheyletiella dermatitis),"[7] is a mild dermatitis caused by mites of the genus Cheyletiella. It is also known as walking dandruff due to skin scales being carried by the mites.

Cheyletiellosis is seen more commonly in areas where fleas are less prevalent, because of the decreased use of flea products that are also efficacious for the treatment of this mite.[8]

Cheyletiellosis is highly contagious. Transmission is by direct contact with an affected animal.[8]

Presentation

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Symptoms in animals vary from no signs to intense itching, scales on the skin, and hair loss. The lesions are usually on the back of the animal. Symptoms in humans include multiple red, itchy bumps on the arms, trunk, and buttocks. Because humans are not a host for the mite, the symptoms usually go away in about three weeks. Though the medical community does not consider a human mite infestation a legitimate diagnosis, it will treat the symptoms if necessary.[8]

Diagnosis

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Diagnosis is by finding the mites or eggs microscopically in a skin scraping, combing, or on acetate tape applied to the skin.[8]

Treatment

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The most common treatment in animals is weekly use of some form of topical pesticide appropriate for the affected animal, often an antiflea product. Fipronil works well, especially in cats.[9] Cats can also be treated with a lime sulfur insecticide dip or a shampoo with non-pyrethrin insecticide for two weeks beyond the conclusion of symptoms.[10]

In unresponsive cases, ivermectin is used.[6] Selamectin is also recommended for treatment.[11] None of these products are approved for treatment of cheyletiellosis.[12] Other pets in the same household should also be treated, and the house or kennel must be treated with an environmental flea spray.[13]

Species

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C. yasguri and C. blakei can transiently affect humans.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ IRMNG (2018). Cheyletiella Canestrini, 1885. Accessed at: http://www.irmng.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1197277 on 2019-01-14
  2. ^ Paradis M, Villeneuve A (August 1988). "Efficacy of Ivermectin against Cheyletiella yasguri Infestation in Dogs". Can. Vet. J. 29 (8): 633–635. PMC 1680781. PMID 17423097.
  3. ^ Scott DW, Paradis M (December 1990). "A survey of canine and feline skin disorders seen in a university practice: Small Animal Clinic, University of Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec (1987-1988)". Can. Vet. J. 31 (12): 830–835. PMC 1480900. PMID 17423707.
  4. ^ Mellgren M, Bergvall K (2008). "Treatment of rabbit cheyletiellosis with selamectin or ivermectin: a retrospective case study". Acta Vet. Scand. 50 (1): 1. doi:10.1186/1751-0147-50-1. PMC 2235873. PMID 18171479.
  5. ^ a b Mueller, Ralf S. (2005). "Superficial mites in small animal dermatology" (PDF). Proceedings of the 50° Congresso Nazionale Multisala SCIVAC. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
  6. ^ a b c Griffin, Craig E.; Miller, William H.; Scott, Danny W. (2001). Small Animal Dermatology (6th ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 978-0-7216-7618-0.
  7. ^ Freedberg, et al. (2003). Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-138076-0.
  8. ^ a b c d "Diagnosing and treating cheyletiellosis". veterinary-practice.com. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
  9. ^ Scarampella F, Pollmeier M, Visser M, Boeckh A, Jeannin P (2005). "Efficacy of fipronil in the treatment of feline cheyletiellosis". Vet Parasitol. 129 (3–4): 333–9. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.02.008. PMID 15845289.
  10. ^ Eldredge, Debra M. (2008). Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook. Howell Book House. p. 142.
  11. ^ Ihrke, Peter J. (2006). "New Approaches to Common Canine Ectoparasites" (PDF). Proceedings of the 31st World Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
  12. ^ "Mange in Dogs and Cats". The Merck Veterinary Manual. 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-25.
  13. ^ Jeromin, Alice (August 2006). "Cheyletiella: The under-diagnosed mite". DVM: 8S–9S.