''Cheyletiella'' is a genus of mites that live on the skin surface of dogs, cats, and

rabbit Rabbits, also known as bunnies or bunny rabbits, are small mammals in the family Leporidae (which also contains the hares) of the order Lagomorpha (which also contains the pikas). ''Oryctolagus cuniculus'' includes the European rabbit speci ...

s. 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. 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.

Cheyletiellosis

Cheyletiellosis (also known as ''Cheyletiella'' dermatitis),"Freedberg, et al. (2003). ''Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine''. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. . 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. Cheyletiellosis is highly contagious. Transmission is by direct contact with an affected animal.

Presentation

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.

Diagnosis

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

Treatment

The most common treatment in animals is weekly use of some form of topical

pesticide Pesticides are substances that are meant to control pests. This includes herbicide, insecticide, nematicide, molluscicide, piscicide, avicide, rodenticide, bactericide, insect repellent, animal repellent, microbicide, fungicide, and lampri ...

appropriate for the affected animal, often an anti flea product.

Fipronil Fipronil is a broad-spectrum insecticide that belongs to the phenylpyrazole chemical family. Fipronil disrupts the insect central nervous system by blocking the ligand-gated ion channel of the GABAA receptor and glutamate-gated chloride (GluCl ...

works well, especially in cats. 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. In unresponsive cases, ivermectin is used.

Selamectin Selamectin (trade names Revolution and Stronghold manufactured by Zoetis, and Revolt manufactured by Aurora Pharmaceuticals, among others) is a topical parasiticide and anthelminthic used on dogs and cats. It treats and prevents infections of ...

is also recommended for treatment. None of these products are approved for treatment of cheyletiellosis. Other pets in the same household should also be treated, and the house or kennel must be treated with an environmental flea spray.

Species

* ''

Cheyletiella blakei ''Cheyletiella blakei'' is a small mite and ectoparasitic of domestic cats. It is a zoonosis that can be transmitted from the cat to humans. Its symptoms in human can include dermatosis, extreme pruritis, 'itchiness'. Those who are most susceptib ...

'' Smiley, 1970 — infests cats ('' Felis catus''), USA (Washington DC) * ''

Cheyletiella parasitivorax ''Cheyletiella'' is a genus of mites that live on the skin surface of dogs, cats, and rabbits. 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. They do no ...

'' — infests rabbits (''

Oryctolagus cuniculus The European rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus'') or coney is a species of rabbit native to the Iberian Peninsula (including Spain, Portugal, and southwestern France), western France, and the northern Atlas Mountains in northwest Africa. It has b ...

''), France * ''

Cheyletiella romerolagi ''Cheyletiella'' is a genus of mites that live on the skin surface of dogs, cats, and rabbits. 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. They do no ...

'' (Fain, 1972) — infests ''

Romerolagus diazi The volcano rabbit (''Romerolagus diazi''), also known as teporingo or zacatuche, is a small rabbit that resides in the mountains of Mexico.Hoth, J., A. Velázquez F. Romero, L. León, M. Aranda and D. Bell, 1987. The Volcano Rabbit- a Shrinking ...

'', USA (New York) * ''

Cheyletiella strandtmanni ''Cheyletiella'' is a genus of mites that live on the skin surface of dogs, cats, and rabbits. 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. They do no ...

'' Smiley, 1970 — infests hares ('' Lepus spp.), Taiwan * ''

Cheyletiella yasguri ''Cheyletiella yasguri'' is a species of mites from the genus ''Cheyletiella ''Cheyletiella'' is a genus of mites that live on the skin surface of dogs, cats, and rabbits. The adult mites are about 0.385 millimeters long, have eight legs with ...

'' Smiley, 1965 — infests dogs ''C. yasguri'' and ''C. blakei'' can transiently affect humans.

References