Cytology Q&A 18

This question was provided by Manson Publishing as part of the OVAL Project. See more Cytology Q&A.

An eight-month-old castrated male Staffordshire Terrier-cross presented with patchy alopecia and erythema on its limbs and head.

Question	Answer		Article
What is the organism shown (1, egg; 2, nymph; 3, adult) (unstained skin scrape in mineral oil, ×10)?	Demodex canis, the causative agent of so-called ‘red mange’ (demodicosis).		Link to Article
Why is it important to see multiple life stages?	It is important to see multiple life stages to confirm active proliferation consistent with infection. This follicular mite can also sometimes be found in skin scrapings of asymptomatic dogs. Multiple life stages as seen here indicate active proliferation. The adults have eight legs, the nymphs have six legs and the bodies are elongated.		Link to Article