Page 216 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

Parasitology 185

debility as well as being an annoyance (Tables can require specialist knowledge but some basic
3.9 and 3.10). Healthy animals usually develop keys are available to help identify the most com-
some immunity against common ectoparasites mon ectoparasites to the level of genus. Where
but if animals become debilitated (due to under- possible, when selecting specimens of ticks and
nourishment or concurrent disease) ectoparasite mites for examination, it is a good idea to collect
numbers may increase. With this in mind it is representative adult males and females as juve-
important to look for other underlying cause(s) niles are often harder to identify. The trapping of
of ‘ill health’ as treating the ectoparasite problem. free living arthropods is discussed in Chapter 14.

Samples for ectoparasite examination
classification and identification
Ectoparasites (see Figure 3.43) collected from
The classification of ectoparasites of veteri- individual animals can be submitted as either
nary importance is outlined in Figure 3.38 and whole fixed or fresh specimens (for example,
is described in more detail under each section ticks, lice) or in skin scrapings (mites), hair
heading. Definitive identification of arthropods samples (lice, mites) and ear wax samples (ear

Figure 3.38
The general
classification of
arthropods
of veterinary
importance.

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