Subcutaneous tick. Subcutaneous mite (scabies) - skin diseases - it's interesting

1. Frolov's water wheels In 1817, the French government founded the Higher School of Mining Sciences in Saint-Etienne. When the first set of students took place, very little was known about the school. Only eight people entered the first course, mostly natives

WATER PERFUME

WATER SPIRIT Asrai, or water fairies (Asrai, or Water-fairies). There are two almost identical tales from Cheshire and Shropshire. In both, the fisherman pulls out the asrai in the nets and puts it on the bottom of the boat. The creature begs for freedom, but the fisherman does not understand its language. In the Cheshire version, the fisherman connects From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (VO) of the author TSB

Most types of ticks are dangerous to humans and animals, so it is customary to treat them with caution. However, ticks live not only on land, some of them are inhabitants of the aquatic environment. Let's figure out how to recognize a water mite and whether it is dangerous to humans.

Varieties of water mites and their habitats

Sometimes water mites are mistakenly classified as insects, but in fact all of their representatives are arachnids. There are two families of hydracarines, which include more than 4 thousand species.

On the territory of Russia, biologists have at least 500 varieties of representatives of hydracarines.

Families of water mites:

• Hydrachnidae (freshwater);
• Halacaridae (live in sea water).

Representatives of the Hydrachnidae family live in fresh water bodies, rivers and ponds. Since they are predators, the largest number of individuals can be found in swampy reservoirs, where there are many small invertebrates. Water mites are mostly free-living predators, preferring small bodies of water filled with zooplankton.

Water temperature is not particularly important for water mites. For example, representatives of Hydrachnidae can be seen even in icy water freed from an ice crust.

In general, the appearance of water mites is quite bright in color. Hydracarine bodies can be seen with the naked eye, as they are yellow to bright red in color.

In the sea, water mites of the species Atax ypsilophorus are most common. They are distinguished by a large (up to 8–9 mm in length) body and long legs, with the help of which they move in the water.
The water mite Atax ypsilophorus is also called Unionicola.

Most often you can see them in the coastal zone, where hydracarines prey on bivalve mollusks. With directional lighting, they become not very noticeable in the water, because they have a bluish body.

The representative of this species is an excellent hunter: having noticed the victim, he rushes at it and wraps it around with his long legs, on the surface of which there are miniature notches that do not allow the mollusk to escape. For this reason, the behavior of the water mite Atax ypsilophorus closely resembles the strategy of its terrestrial cousins, the spiders.

Body structure of the water mite

Hydracarines, like all arachnids, have four pairs of legs. At the end of each leg there are two claws that allow the individual to crawl and capture prey, as well as swimming hairs used for movement in the water.

The body is more often rounded and consists of the cephalothorax and abdomen, which are visually almost fused together. Depending on the species, the water mite has either two or four eyes. Biologists believe that the eyes of hydrocarines, protected by strong chitinous capsules, see perfectly even in muddy water, which gives predators an advantage.

Chelicerae and pedipalps help the mites to absorb and retain food. The palps hold the victim near the mouth, and the claws of the chelicerae pierce the skin or chitinous shell, after which the water mite sucks out the prey.
The fourth pair of legs in a hydrocarina is usually longer than the rest, this is due to the fact that during movement they carry out pushing activity.

They breathe with the help of the entire surface of the body. The tick absorbs oxygen dissolved in water, and survives even at its extremely reduced concentration (1 part per million).

It is noteworthy that water mites have absolutely no circulatory system. Also, their body does not have a back intestine and anus. These organs are replaced by an excretory opening located immediately above the intestines.

Life cycle of hydrocarines

The average lifespan of a water mite is just over a year. Copulation (reproduction) begins in the spring, as hydrocarines are not very active in winter. In winter, most hydrocarinae are in the nymphal (larval) stage of development.
In a favorable environment, water mites are prone to excessive reproduction; due to their accumulation, water in small reservoirs can acquire a reddish-brown hue

The reproductive strategy of different types of ticks can vary significantly. For example, males of the species Piona nodata can swim for a long time, looking for a female and lowering the claws of the third pair of legs into a special pocket on the abdomen, where seminal fluid accumulates. Noticing a female of its own species, the tick quickly swims up to her and transfers the seed into her genital opening.

But the males of the Arrhenurus species behave differently. Arrhenurus females have significantly larger body sizes, so the males have to go for a trick: they are attached to the lower abdomen with a sticky secret, after which mating occurs and the seminal fluid is introduced into the genital opening.

After fertilization, the females of some species (Limnochares aquatica, Eylais), predominantly living in stagnant water swamps and small ponds, lay their eggs on underwater snags, stones or plant roots. The same mites that live in flowing water firmly attach a clutch of eggs to plant stems. Those hydrocarines who live in sea water find for this purpose coastal stones submerged in water, and parts of underwater structures (piles, bridges, etc.).

During the entire cycle, the water mite forms and sheds two molting skins, and also goes through three nymphal (larval) stages.

The harm of water mites and their danger to humans

But for small invertebrates, water mites are dangerous. Chitons, water scorpions, water beetles, sea urchins, mussels, molluscs, daphnia, cyclops, bloodworm larvae - they all have to serve as food or host for hydrocarines.

Video: tick trying to get out of a tube of water

Smooth water bug and its relation to hydrocarines

Unlike hydrocarines, water bugs can inflict very sensitive bites on humans. With water mites, they are similar in their predatory lifestyle, but they are different in classification.
The smooth water bug is much larger than the hydrocarine, its body can reach 15 mm

Water mites belong to arachnids, and smooth bugs belong to insects from the order of Hemiptera of the Gladysh family. They are much more aggressive and dangerous to their neighbors in the reservoir. Large individuals calmly attack their own young or even fish fry. The cycle of their development is also incredibly complex: smooth bugs go through four nymphal stages, each time significantly increasing in size.

At night, these insects are attracted to bright light, so they often leave the aquatic habitat, which allows them to make powerful wings.

These water bugs bite very painfully. In children and those who are prone to developing allergic reactions, the bite site can become very red and itchy for a long time. Therefore, it is better not to touch this insect with your hands and not to swim in those places where accumulations of water bugs are noticed. In the evening, a protective spray will help protect yourself from flying smoothies. If the bug is still bitten and this area of ​​​​the skin itches and swells, then antihistamines (for example, fenistil) or hormonal (hydrocortisone) ointments will help. Aloe juice is also effective, it relieves itching and redness.

Water mites in an aquarium or pond and how to get rid of them

Usually fish do not consider hydrocarin as food, this can only happen under very limited feeding conditions. Aquarists even notice that if a fish accidentally swallows a water mite, it spits it out almost immediately.

Ridding an aquarium of pests is not so difficult. The bright coloring of hydrocarines helps a lot in this. Although they are mostly small in size, the red or orange hue of the body makes them easy to see with the naked eye.

The main thing in getting rid of water mites is regular maintenance of cleanliness in the aquarium. If you notice a large amount of hydrocarines, then the usual measures will not be enough and a complete cleaning of the entire tank will be required.

Detailed instructions for ridding the aquarium of water mites:

Remember that the aquarium sponge can only be used once, after which it should be thrown away. Otherwise, the eggs of the water mites may again fall into the tank.

This method of completely changing the soil, water, and sterilizing tank parts is effective in getting rid of water mites in an aquarium. But if hydrocarinas have chosen a decorative pond for living, then it is necessary to act in a different way. Moreover, ultraviolet sterilizers in this case are ineffective.

To destroy water mites in a closed small reservoir, chlorophos is successfully used.
Chlorophos is an organophosphorus compound that is an insecticide and acaricide.

When working with chlorophos, remember the following precautions:

• in no case should the processing of a decorative reservoir be carried out at an air temperature above 25 °;
• the introduction of insecticide should be made from the leeward side;
• preparation of the solution and all work with chlorophos must be carried out in a well-ventilated area and when using personal protective equipment (gloves, mask, goggles);
• people with diagnosed diseases of the cardiovascular system and hematopoietic organs should not work with insecticides.

The principle of action of the drug is not only the destruction of water mites, but also the elimination of zooplankton, which is the main food of the pest.

Instructions for processing a decorative pond with a solution of chlorophos:

I heard about water mites not so long ago from a friend who became interested in aquarism. Before that, I thought that ticks were an exclusively terrestrial problem. It turned out that these tiny red balls with long legs are the most dangerous enemy of small invertebrates. I am glad that hydrocarines are harmless to humans and do not pose a danger to him at all. But here in the aquarium they are in the role of ruthless killers, eating crustaceans and water fleas, which are intended as food for ornamental fish. Pests are quite visible to the naked eye - small bright red spiders dot aquarium plants or move in the water with movable long legs. If measures are not taken in time, then in a closed aquarium system they can increase the population several times in a short time and become a threat to the entire community, upsetting the balance.

Good day. My name is Katerina, I am 34 years old. I trained as a lawyer, then as a psychologist, and now I work as a copywriter. And I love my job! To study in detail an interesting topic, and then tell the reader about it is exciting and informative.

In the forest you can meet insects and animals. They come in different sizes and colors. Some of them pose a danger to humans, so it is advisable to avoid any contact even with small animals. For example, many are afraid that lives in water bodies.

Many people believe that ticks are insects. In fact, they are animals and belong to a subclass of arthropods from the arachnid class. Representatives can live both in fresh water and in sea water.

Of particular interest are water mites, which have a characteristic appearance:

• four pairs of legs;
• a rounded body, which consists of an abdomen connected to a small head;
• the size does not exceed 3 mm.

The body is bright, often painted bright yellow or red. Some individuals are decorated with ornaments. Their large aggregations are easy to spot. The jaws are very developed, the leg tentacles are equipped with hooks or bristles - they help to move through the water. They have two or four eyes. Scientists are sure that these little creatures have excellent eyesight, which allows them to easily navigate in troubled waters.

Habitat

Representatives of water mites are widespread. They live in the following places:

• ponds;
• swamps;
• river backwaters;
• puddles.

Features of physiology

Ticks have a rather bright appearance, which is easy to see in the water surface. It can be assumed that they are easy prey for other species, but this is not entirely true. Arthropods are rarely found in the stomachs of fish, and scientists have repeatedly noticed that if a fish grabs a tick, it spits it out almost immediately. This is due to the ability of an arthropod to secrete a poisonous or unpleasant-tasting liquid from its glands. Therefore, small creatures rarely fall prey to large aquatic predators. The bright coloring acts as a warning.

They swim perfectly in the water, it is enough to put one individual in a jar of liquid and you can observe chaotic and fast movements. Some representatives only crawl on aquatic plants, therefore they lead an exclusively benthic lifestyle. Ticks are predators and feed on zooplankton and invertebrates. The basis of nutrition is daphnia, cyclops and other small animals. The tick grabs the victim with its jaws and sticks to it.

Mature females lay their eggs on rocks and underwater plants. Most often, the laying is done in a bunch, and not attached one egg at a time. The clusters are colored yellow or bright red, so they are easily visible on the surface. The larvae choose water striders, swimming beetles, water scorpions, less often dragonflies and Diptera as their host.

Often mistaken for a tick is a water bug. He has a similar lifestyle, as he spends most of his time in a pond. But he is not even a relative. The bug is larger, it has three pairs of legs. It does not pose any threat to humans, but you should not grab it with your hands, as the insect can bite hard. In rare cases, this leads to allergic reactions. Lives only in fresh water. Most often spends time on the surface of the water, if desired, dives to a depth, but it is worth serious effort.

Human danger

In the summer, many people prefer to swim in different water bodies. Observant individuals can spot bright red dots on the water. In fact, water mites do not pose any danger to humans. They do not stick, do not bite and do not crawl into different cavities, so you can not be afraid of them.

There is a common misconception that mites lay their eggs on the human body. This does not apply to water. They are also not interested in humans as a food object, since their jaws are adapted only for zooplankton and invertebrates.

The main threat is terrestrial. Argas prefer to settle on animals and birds. They are quite large and can reach a length of 30 mm. They can be found in nests, cracks, burrows. One bite can infect a person with typhus, the puncture site will itch and hurt for several weeks.

The scabies mite is difficult to detect with the naked eye. It is transmitted from a person's contact with another person. As a rule, a fertilized female passes, which, when a new host appears, lays eggs under the skin. The larvae actively hatch and spread. After that, the first symptoms of scabies appear in a person.

Forest ticks are of great danger, as they can be carriers of encephalitis and Lyme disease. They imperceptibly stick, and the virus enters the human blood. Therefore, if an arthropod is found, you should immediately go to the nearest hospital, where they will take the tick for analysis and, if necessary, give an injection of immunoglobulin.

Scabies mite (subcutaneous mite) - Trixacarus caviae
These microscopic mites hide under the skin and cause severe pain. You may notice scratches on the skin, the pig will bite itself with its teeth, its hair falls out. Serious infestations can be life-threatening. If you suspect that one of your pets has a subcutaneous tick, examine the rest as soon as possible. Ivermectin (Ivermectin), Otodectin, Novomek, Ivermek - a drug for quick relief. Several injections of the drug are needed because these drugs do not kill the eggs laid by the females under the skin.
Subcutaneous mites that appear in guinea pigs cannot breed or live on humans.
Death of a guinea pig can occur due to severe dehydration, from larger and larger wounds and from refusing to eat, due to extreme pain and discomfort. In a healthy animal, the tick can be dormant for months or years, becoming a problem in a pregnant guinea pig, a debilitated animal during another illness, or after stress. The most serious infestations occur in babies or very old animals, in which the immune system is most weakened. The disease in animals of other ages is no less serious, perhaps due to poor care or weakened immunity.
The scabies mite (Trixacarus caviae) is an arachnid insect. Infection occurs primarily through direct contact with infected animals, although eggs can be introduced through carelessness. Ticks rarely leave their host, usually as a result of overcrowding or the death of the host. Without a host, they usually die within 3 weeks. However, eggs that have been laid in burrows in the skin can live for a long time.
Signs: Microscopic mites cause unbearable itching in the animal and can lead to thinning and/or patchy hair loss, flaky skin (may resemble dandruff) and eventually open sores resulting from heavy scratching that increases hair loss. Scratching an area of ​​skin infested with mites can cause your guinea pig to itch so much that it falls on its back, squealing, and convulsing.
While skin scrapings can confirm mites, this is often not done. Because this procedure is very painful for the guinea pig and not at all reliable. Often, a veterinarian will use Ivermectin (and analogues) for severe itching and hair loss, in the treatment of another disease (such as a fungal infection), when treatment does not improve. It is important to note that your guinea pig may be suffering from several causes at the same time.
Diagnosis: Sometimes a veterinarian will completely misdiagnose a mite infestation based solely on the result of a skin scraping.
Example:
“A guinea pig was brought in for treatment with severe scratching. The vet ruled out mite disease when he didn’t find any in a skin scraping. He prescribed treatment for a fungal and yeast infection, sent samples to the laboratory, took a skin biopsy, and felt that he had already explored every possibility "The guinea pig had already been anesthetized twice during sampling. During this time, the guinea pig (who had already lost most of her hair) was in unbearable pain, with wounds, and without improvement. After a few weeks, the condition only worsened. The vetrinar finally suggested that injections with Ivermectin in case it was mites after all. The result was immediate."

If a subcutaneous mite disease is suspected, do everything to cure your animal.
Scabies mites can cause the death of an animal!
Treatment: for tick infestation, Ivermectin (Otodectin) is injected under the withers. Two or more injections are required 7 to 10 days apart. Ivermectin is best not used on guinea pigs weighing less than 340 grams. Otodectin is designed for use in small animals and is suitable for treating baby guinea pigs who have stopped suckling their mother. This medicine must be used in a strictly calculated dose.

A good veterinarian should be familiar with the drug and know what doses are considered safe for guinea pigs. The supervision of a competent physician ensures that the use of this drug is necessary. The veterinarian may also treat open wounds and scratched skin and other complications associated with invasion. Trim nails to minimize further damage from scratches.Calculate the dosage of Ivermectin (Otodectin) in milligrams per kilogram of weight, for different types of animals. Therefore, it is necessary to know the weight of the animal. Your veterinarian needs to know how to calculate the correct dosage.Once the mites have been properly diagnosed, all of your guinea pigs will need to be treated and their living quarters should be thoroughly cleaned. Avoid future infestations by carefully examining newly acquired new animals and isolating them if you suspect they came from a dysfunctional kennel. Breeders usually quarantine new gilts (since they can carry ticks without showing signs of disease). It is better to make the prevention of the subcutaneous mite a newcomer than to risk introducing it to a whole herd of guinea pigs.Do not use flea powders, sprays, special soaps, wool soaks - many contain harmful substances that are dangerous for pigs. Read the ingredients. Some of these foods have caused death. If your pet has ticks,USE IVERMECTIN (OTODECTIN, NOVOMEK, IVERMEK). Properly calculated dosage of these drugs is much more effective.

Scabies mite (subcutaneous mite) -

Trixacarus caviae

These microscopic mites hide under the skin and cause severe pain. You may notice scratches on the skin, the mumps willmyselfbite with her teeth, her hair falls out. Serious infestations can be life-threatening. If you suspect that one of your pets has a subcutaneous tick, examine the rest as soon as possible. Ivermectin (Ivermectin), Otodectin, Novomek, Ivermek - a drug for quick relief. Several injections of the drug are needed because these drugs do not kill the eggs laid by the females under the skin.

Subcutaneous mites present in guinea pigs cannot reproduce or live on humans.

Death of a guinea pig can occur due to severe dehydration, from larger and larger wounds and from refusing to eat, due to extreme pain and discomfort. In a healthy animal, the tick can be dormant for months or years, becoming a problem in a pregnant guinea pig, a debilitated animal during another illness, or after stress. The most serious infestations occur in babies or very old animals, in which the immune system is most weakened. The disease in animals of other ages is no less serious, perhaps due to poor care or weakened immunity.

scabies mite (Trixacarus caviae) is an arachnid insect. Infection occurs primarily through direct contact with infected animals, although eggs can be introduced through carelessness. Ticks rarely leave their host, usually as a result of overcrowding or the death of the host. Without a host, they usually die within 3 weeks. However, eggs that have been laid in burrows in the skin can live for a long time.

A photo - Kat .

Signs: microscopic mites cause unbearable itching in the animal and can lead to thinning and/or patchy hair loss, flaky skin (may resemble dandruff) and, ultimately, open sores resulting from heavy scratching, which increase hair loss. Scratching an area of ​​skin infested with mites can cause your guinea pig to itch so much that it falls on its back, squealing, and convulsing.

While skin scrapings can confirm mites, this is often not done. Because this procedure is very painful for the guinea pig and not at all reliable. Often, a veterinarian will use Ivermectin (and analogues) for severe itching and hair loss, in the treatment of another disease (such as a fungal infection), when treatment does not improve. It is important to note that your guinea pig may be suffering from several causes at the same time.

Diagnostics: Sometimes a veterinarian will completely misdiagnose a mite infestation based solely on the result of a skin scraping.

Example:

“A guinea pig was brought in for treatment with severe scratching. The vet ruled out mite disease when he didn’t find any in a skin scraping. He prescribed treatment for a fungal and yeast infection, sent samples to the laboratory, took a skin biopsy, and felt that he had already explored every possibility "The guinea pig had already been anesthetized twice during sampling. During this time, the guinea pig (who had already lost most of her hair) was in unbearable pain, with wounds, and without improvement. After a few weeks, the condition only worsened. The vetrinar finally suggested that injections with Ivermectin in case it was mites after all. The result was immediate."

If a subcutaneous mite disease is suspected, do everything to cure your animal.

Scabies mites can cause the death of an animal!

Treatment: when infested with ticks, an injection is madeIvermectin (Otodectin ) under the withers. Two or more injections are required 7 to 10 days apart. Ivermectin is best not used on guinea pigs weighing less than 340 grams. Otodectin is designed for use in small animals and is suitable for treating baby guinea pigs who have stopped suckling their mother. This medicine must be used in a strictly calculated dose. A good veterinarian should be familiar with the drug and know what doses are considered safe for guinea pigs. The supervision of a competent physician ensures that the use of this drug is necessary. The veterinarian may also treat open wounds and scratched skin and other complications associated with invasion. Trim nails to minimize further damage from scratches.

Calculate the dosageIvermectina (Otodectina) in milligrams per kilogram of weight, for different animal species. Therefore, it is necessary to know the weight of the animal. Your veterinarian needs to know how to calculate the correct dosage.

Once the mites have been properly diagnosed, all of your guinea pigs will need to be treated and their living quarters should be thoroughly cleaned. Avoid future infestations by carefully examining newly acquired new animals and isolating them if you suspect they came from a dysfunctional kennel. Breeders usually quarantine new gilts (since they can carry ticks without showing signs of disease). It is better to make the prevention of the subcutaneous mite a newcomer than to risk introducing it to a whole herd of guinea pigs.