April 2015

Cocker spaniel with skin allergy dermatitis

A middle-aged spayed Cocker spaniel was referred to a veterinary specialty clinic due to suspected allergies because of a history of papular rashes and pruritis on its front and rear limbs. A skin scraping of a scaling papular area on the top of the head was performed, and this parasite was observed under the microscope.

What is your diagnosis?

Case kindly provided by Dr. Karen Kuhl at the Veterinary Specialty Center in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Photo provided by Dr. Matthew Levinson (Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Class of 2015).

Answer

This is Cheyletiella yasguri. Cheyletiella spp. are easily identifiable because of morphological features including pronounced palpal claws. When infested with these mites, dogs develop a dermatitis with branlike exfoliative debris that stirs from the movement of the actual mites, a condition termed "walking dandruff." These mites are large enough to be seen with with the unaided eye. This mite is relatively uncommon, and occurs most often on puppies in breeding facilities