AHS 302 CASE STUDY 1 Name: _____________________

Patient: Tom, Male Neutered Feline, approximately one year old.

History: Tom is presented to the small animal hospital where you work. It is his first time visiting
the veterinary hospital since Ms. Jones adopted him from the local cat rescue society a few weeks
ago. Ms. Jones is concerned because his ears seem dirty, he is scratching a little, and has thin fur
and some crusts on his upper lower back. The owner mentions that she has also noticed what she
describes as grains of rice stuck to Toms fur around his rear end under his tail.
Physical Exam: Upon physical exam the veterinarian notices that the cat occasionally shakes his
head and scratches his ears. Visual inspection of both ears reveals dark chunky dry debris. The
veterinarian uses a flea comb along Toms back, flea dirt is found but no fleas are observed. In
addition, the veterinarian agrees, there are indeed what appears to be grains of rice stuck to the fur
under the cats tail.

Parasite (A) Questions:

1. What ear parasite (scientific and common name) should the veterinary team be suspicious of in
Toms ears?
Otodectes cynotis
2. What diagnostic test would be used to diagnose this parasite? Describe how this test would be
performed (describe the procedure).
An ear swab procedure would be done. For this, a cotton swab is moistened with mineral oil to
have ear debris stick better. Then, place some ear debris and a few drops of mineral oil on a slide,
using a wooden applicator to mix until homogenous. Add a coverslip on top, making sure the
mineral oil covers the entire surface underneath. Use the 10x objective to scan for specimens.
3. The owner has other animals and children at home and is concerned that this parasite can be
contagious. How do you address her concerns?
This particular ear mite only likes spreading to other carnivores so her children wont get them,
however, if her other animals are either dogs, cats, or ferrets, they should be checked out since it is
contagious to them.

Parasite (B) Questions:

1. When the veterinarian used the flea comb on the cat, why might flea debris be found on the cat
and not the fleas themselves?
The adult fleas may have jumped off the cat while waiting to be looked at since they dont live
their whole life cycle on the animal and the cat may have scratched or licked them off.
2. The veterinarian feels that the crusts along the back of the cat are due to a condition commonly
abbreviated as FAD. What does FAD stand for and what causes it (specifically)?
FAD stands for Flea Allergy Dermatitis which is when a flea punctures the cats skin to feed and
the cat acquires a hypersensitivity to the flea saliva, leading to the cat self-inflicts trauma to itself.
The trauma results in bacteria invading the injuries, causing pustules, as well as erythema, crusts,
and hair loss.
3. The owner states that it is impossible for the cat to have fleas because she does not have carpet in
her house, she has hardwood floors. In addition, if the cat had fleas she would know because she
would have flea bites. Using language the owner can understand explain the flea life cycle to her.
The cat most likely got fleas from outside where wild animals left the flea eggs and once the cat
brings them inside the house, the adult fleas mated to produce eggs that can fall onto the furniture
and bedding. And fleas on the cat will only bite humans if there is no other way to get their food.
Parasite (C) Questions:
1. Given the fact that this cat has evidence of a flea infestation, what is the most likely endoparasite
(scientific and common name) that is the cause of the grains of rice under the cats tail?
Dipylidium caninum, flea tapeworm
2. The owner becomes visibly upset at the fact that her cat has worms. She wants to know if her
children and other animals can get the worms. Using your knowledge of the life cycle of this
parasite and how the cat acquired it, how do you answer her?
It is possible for both to get the flea tapeworm since the one cat already has it because it means that
the fleas have eaten the tapeworm eggs and if your children or other animals also somehow end up
eating a flea on accident, then the flea tapeworm can grow inside the intestines.
3. Use the provided handout titled Common Heartworm & Intestinal Preventative Medications For
Dogs & Cats, to determine which would be an effective deworming agent for Parasite C. What is
the active ingredient that will treat and control this worm? How does it work?
Droncit with the active ingredient praziquantel would be an effective deworming agent to use.
This group of anthelmintic works by causing a calcium influx across the tapeworm tegument
which keeps the parasite from staying attached inside the cat through immediate muscle spasms
and are moved away from their preferred feeding site by natural movement of the intestines.
4. What do you need to tell the owner so that Tom does not acquire this parasite again in the future?
Since the flea tapeworm is caused by eating an infected flea, the cat, other animals in the house,
and the whole environment need to be treated for fleas to get rid of the problem and source.
At this point the owner seems to understand how to prevent Tom from acquiring parasite C in the
future but she wants to know what needs to be done about parasites A and B right now. She
expresses concern that this might be an expensive veterinary visit for a rescued cat and asks if
their might be one medication that could take care of both parasites A and B.

Ectoparasiticide Questions: Use the two provided handouts to answer the following questions.
1. Pick one medication that will treat and control Parasite A and Parasite B.
Advantage Multi For Cats
2. What is/are the active ingredient(s) that will treat and control the above two parasites and how do
they work?
The medication has Imidocloprid, which is a neurotoxin that binds to nicotinic acetylcholine
receptors in the arthropod, and Moxidectin, also a neurotoxin for the ectoparasite by binding to
chloride ion channels of nerve and muscle cells, resulting in their cell membranes becoming
permeable to chloride to cause paralysis and death.
3. How often and how is the medication you chose administered?
This medication is used topically on a monthly, year-round basis or during mosquito season.
The client seems satisfied with the above choice of medication and agrees to purchase it for Tom.
You happen to walk by the front of the reception area as a new employee is helping the owner as
she checks out and pays her bill. You are horrified to discover that this new employee has given the
owner the wrong medication. You are very upset because this medication is meant to be used on a
dog and not a cat. This medication contains an ingredient that is known to be highly toxic to cats
and can have severe consequences. This ingredient is known to cause neurological signs and even
death.

4. Using the provided chart of flea preventative medications, list two products that contain this
highly toxic ingredient if used on cats. What is the name of the highly toxic compound?
K9 Advantix II and Activyl Tick Plus both contain permethrin.