Sarcoptes

From WikiVet English
Jump to navigation Jump to search


Sarcoptes scabei - Wikimedia Commons
Sarcoptes scabei - Wikimedia Commons
File:Scabies human skin pruritis.jpg
Scabies on human skin resulting in pruritus - Wikimedia Commons

Sarcoptes mites are burrowing mites of dogs and foxes. They Cause Sarcoptic Mange.


Recognition

  • Small, round mite
  • Short legs
    • Project only a short distance from body margin
  • Dorsal spines
    • Arranged in rows
  • Terminal anus
  • Male is about 250μm in length and the female about 400-430μm in length

Life cycle

  • 3 week life cycle
  • Female lays eggs in epidermis in an egg laying pocket
  • Female feeds on liquid oozing from damaged tissue
  • The eggs hatch in 1 week
  • 6 legged larvae released which crawl to skin surface
  • The larvae then burrow back into the epidermis into moulting pockets
  • Larvae moult to become 8 legged nymphs
  • Nymphs moult twice before becoming adults
  • Adult males emerge and look for females to mate


Cause Sarcoptic Mange