Cheyletiella - HillsVet

Client<br />

Information<br />

Series<br />

<strong>Cheyletiella</strong><br />

<strong>Cheyletiella</strong><br />

These mites migrate<br />

on the hair shaft on<br />

the skin’s surface<br />

and feed on tissue<br />

fluids.<br />

The entire life cycle<br />

is thought to occur<br />

on the host.<br />

Diagnostic Plan<br />

History<br />

Physical examination<br />

Skin scrapings<br />

Skin biopsy<br />

Acetate tape impressions<br />

Direct visualization of the<br />

parasite<br />

Therapeutic Plan<br />

Parasiticidal dips<br />

Nutritional Plan<br />

Nutrition based on individual<br />

patient evaluation<br />

including body condition<br />

and other organ system<br />

involvement or disease<br />

<strong>Cheyletiella</strong><br />

Your pet has <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> (walking dandruff) mites. These mites are tiny parasites that live on the skin. They<br />

cause <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mange, a contagious skin disease. <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> infestations are treated with products that kill<br />

skin parasites. This client education sheet will help you learn more about these infestations and will review your<br />

veterinarian’s instructions for your pet’s care at home, as well as follow-up with the veterinary health care team.<br />

What You Should Know About <strong>Cheyletiella</strong><br />

<strong>Cheyletiella</strong> (sha'lĕ-te-el'lah) mange is transmitted when one pet comes in contact with another pet that already has the<br />

mite infestation. <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mites are highly contagious, especially between animals less than 12 weeks of age.<br />

Therefore, all animals in a household may be affected. Though it is uncommon, people may become infested when they<br />

are exposed to pets with <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mange.<br />

Signs<br />

Typically, <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mange occurs in kittens and puppies. The most common sign of <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mange is moderate<br />

to severe dandruff along the animal’s back. The pet may scratch a little or a lot. Intense scratching may lead to hair loss.<br />

Often, the animal’s coat may feel greasy. A few animals, especially older pets, may have <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mites but no skin<br />

abnormalities. Yet mites from these animals may infest other pets.<br />

Diagnosis<br />

A history of recent contact with other animals followed by the onset of dandruff, scratching and hair loss suggest a<br />

diagnosis of <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mange. A diagnosis can be confirmed by your veterinarian when he or she finds <strong>Cheyletiella</strong><br />

mites on your pet.<br />

Your veterinarian may use a magnifying lens to look for <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mites on the surface of your pet’s skin. Other<br />

commonly used diagnostic techniques include collecting dandruff by scraping the skin, applying acetate tape to the skin or

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combing dandruff scales onto a microscope slide. In these situations your veterinarian will use a microscope to look for<br />

mites in the dandruff scales. Mites and mite eggs may occasionally be found in a pet’s feces. This occurs when animals,<br />

particularly cats, ingest mites and eggs when they groom themselves. Unfortunately, mites cannot be demonstrated in all<br />

cases of <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mange. If mites can’t be found, your veterinarian may determine the presence of the clinical signs<br />

alone warrants treating your pet for <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mange.<br />

Treatment and Home Care<br />

<strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mites are susceptible to most insecticides, including powders, sprays, dips and shampoos. Treatment<br />

should be continued for several weeks to eliminate the infestation. Because of the highly contagious nature of the parasite,<br />

all animals in the household must be treated whether or not they have signs of infection.<br />

Cleaning the household hastens control of the infestation and helps prevent reinfestation. These measures include<br />

thorough cleaning and vacuuming. The household should be fogged or sprayed with products used for flea control.<br />

Nutritional Plan<br />

If your pet has <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mange, your veterinarian may suggest a dietary change based on your pet’s age and body<br />

condition, the degree of infestation and tissue damage, and the presence or absence of disease in other organs and body<br />

systems. If your pet has traumatized its skin, your veterinarian may give you special feeding instructions. Nutrition is<br />

especially important for optimal growth and proper development of the immune (protective) system in puppies and kittens,<br />

such as those presented with <strong>Cheyletiella</strong> mange. Optimal nutrition should also reduce the health risks associated with<br />

feeding excess levels of nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, which could cause skeletal problems, and excess<br />

calories, which could cause obesity. Foods formulated for optimum growth that avoid excess levels of harmful nutrients<br />

include Hill’s® Science Diet® brand puppy and kitten foods.<br />

Transitioning Food<br />

Unless recommended otherwise by your veterinarian, gradually introduce any new food over a seven-day period. Mix<br />

the new food with your pet’s former food, gradually increasing its proportion until only the new food is fed.<br />

If your pet is one of the few that doesn’t readily accept a new food, try warming the canned food to body temperature,<br />

hand feeding for the first few days, or mixing the dry food with warm water (wait ten minutes before serving). Feed only<br />

the recommended food. Be patient but firm with your pet. This is important because the success or failure of treatment<br />

depends to a large degree on strict adherence to the new food.<br />

Presented as an educational service by<br />

Client’s Name:<br />

Patient’s Name:<br />

Medication(s):<br />

Home Care Instructions<br />

_________________________________________________________<br />

_________________________________________________________<br />

_________________________________________________________<br />

Nutritional Recommendation: ___________________________________________________<br />

Follow-Up Appointment: _______________________________________________________<br />

(Hospital Stamp Area Above)<br />

REGULAR VISITS WILL HELP OUR VETERINARY HEALTH CARE TEAM PROVIDE FOR YOUR PET’S BEST INTEREST.<br />

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