VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

FLEA INFESTATION IN SQUIRRELS

• Ceratophyllus sp, spilopsyllus are the two common fleas seen in rats, field mouse and wild rodents. The oriental rat flea of the genus Xenopsylla is associated with the transmission of plague.
• The specimen observed belongs to the genus ceratophyllus sp. Finding of flea droppings over hair material also helps for the diagnosis.