First Report Ofericotrombidium Ibericensein Domestic Dogs

Purpose Larval stages of trombiculid mites infest a wide variety of wild and domestic animals. The most common clinical signs related with the presence of these parasites are alopecia, crusts, erythema, excoriation, erosion, papules, pustules and vesicles. Most of trombiculid infestations may not be perceived by the clinician due to their small size. AlthoughEricotrombidium ibericensehas been recorded on cats, it has not been found on dogs. Methods In August 2019, three domestic dogs presenting pruritic dermatological lesions in the ventral area of the body and interdigital spaces were presented at a veterinary clinic in Santarem, central Portugal. Trombiculid mites were extracted from the skin and preserved in 70% ethanol. Specimens were prepared in slides with Hoyer's medium and observed with optical microscopy. Results After morphological examination of the specimens, mites were identified asE. ibericense(Acariformes: Trombiculidae). Conclusions Most of the trombiculids recorded in European clinical practice are generally identified asNeotrombicula autumnalisby default, since, in most cases, mites are not examined morphologically. This is the first record ofE. ibericensein domestic dogs. More studies are needed to evaluate the distribution of these mites in Portugal. Veterinary clinicians must be aware of this parasitosis, as trombiculids can cause exuberant clinical signs, but are often misdiagnosed.