Ectop in vet

• Ectoparasites can cause ectoparasite-related (skin) diseases, myiasis, and vector nuisance
• Ectoparasites belong to the Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) and are studied in veterinary entomology and veterinary acarology
• Classification of arthropods includes Diptera (Flies), Phthiraptera (Lice), Siphonaptera (Fleas), and Acari (Mites and Ticks)
• Arthropods have bilaterally symmetrical bodies, jointed legs, exoskeletons, and always have separate sexes
• Insects have 6 legs, a head+thorax+abdomen structure, and 0-2-4 wings, while Arachnids (Acari) have 8 legs (6 in larvae), segmented bodies with 2 parts (gnathosoma, idiosoma), and 0-2 wings
• Life cycles of arthropods can be simple (incomplete metamorphosis) or complex (complete metamorphosis)
• Ticks, such as Ixodes ricinus, can transmit diseases like Anaplasma, Tick-borne encephalitis virus, and Borrelia
• New species of ticks in Sweden include Ixodes persulcatus and Dermacentor reticulatus, which can transmit diseases like Babesia canis and Eastern TBEV
• Mites like Demodex and Sarcoptes scabiei can cause mange in animals with clinical signs like alopecia, folliculitis, and intense pruritus
• Fleas like Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis can cause flea allergy dermatitis and transmit diseases like Dipylidium caninum and Bartonella henselae
• Lice are extremely species-specific, cannot survive long outside the host, and can cause itching, alopecia, and self-damage in severe infections
• Biting midges like Culicoides can transmit diseases like Bluetongue disease and Schmallenberg virus
• Mosquitoes, such as Anopheles and Aedes, can transmit viral diseases, Plasmodium (malaria), and lymphatic elephantiasis
• Sandflies like Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia are vectors of leishmaniasis
• Myiasis-producing flies can be facultative or obligate, with nutrition needs varying for different types of flies