Severe Skin Lesions Caused by Persistent Bites of the Stable Fly Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) in a Donkey Sanctuary of Western Spain.
Abstract: Animal sanctuaries are important organisations that promote animal welfare and health as well as social awareness. Following the appearance of several donkeys with severe and distinctive skin lesions in a sanctuary from western Spain in 2021, a multicomponent study was performed to rule out the possible causes. The lesions were mainly concentrated on the extremities and, to a lesser extent, on the face and/or chest. The use of cotton leggings on their extremities as an external barrier to prevent them from bites and treatments with antiparasitic, antiseptic washes and dermatitis lotion showed to be effective measures to improve the donkey lesions. Skin scraping was negative for any relevant causative agents. Histopathological examination of the lesions showed an inflammatory infiltrate at the superficial dermal level, compatible with diffuse chronic dermatitis. A field entomological study was conducted from May to October 2021 to ascertain if any Diptera was responsible for these lesions. Considerable numbers of the stable fly Stomoxys calcitrans were recorded in both sticky traps and decomposing straw bedding. Several species of hematophagous Diptera were also recorded in lower numbers in other traps placed on the farm facilities. According to the entomological data, the location of the bites and clinical signs, it was concluded that S. calcitrans was the main cause of the skin lesions in the donkeys. To our best knowledge, this is the first clinical case of donkeys affected by the stable fly in Spain. For differential diagnosis, a brief discussion of the evidence caused by other biting Diptera groups is provided.
Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2022-06-23 PubMed ID: 35753635DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104056Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research focuses on investigating the main cause of severe skin lesions in donkeys in a sanctuary in western Spain. The findings reveal that persistent bites from the Stomoxys calcitrans stable fly are the primary cause of these skin lesions.
Investigation into the Cause of Severe Skin Lesions in Donkeys
- After numerous donkeys in a western Spain sanctuary showed signs of distinct skin lesions in 2021, a thorough study was conducted to identify potential causes.
- The skin lesions were primarily concentrated on the donkeys’ extremities, and less so on their faces and chests.
- Methods such as the use of cotton leggings to prevent bites, as well as other treatments including antiparasitic, antiseptic washes and dermatitis lotion, were found to be effective in improving the donkeys’ conditions.
- However, skin scraping tests turned up negative for any major causative agents.
- A histopathological examination of the lesions was carried out, revealing inflammatory infiltrate at the superficial dermal level, indicative of a chronic dermatitis condition.
Entomological Study and Results
- Between May and October 2021, a field entomological study was carried out to determine if any specific insect species was responsible for the donkeys’ skin lesions.
- Many Stomoxys calcitrans stable flies were found in sticky traps placed around the sanctuary, as well as in decomposing straw bedding.
- Other species of blood-sucking flies, although in lower numbers, were also found in other traps around the farm.
- Based on the entomological data gathered, the locations of the bites, and the clinical signs observed, it was determined that the S. calcitrans stable fly was primarily responsible for the skin lesions in the donkeys.
- This case was the first known instance of donkeys being affected by the stable fly in Spain.
Differential Diagnoses
- For a more informed diagnosis, a brief discussion was provided considering potential evidence caused by other biting insect groups.
Cite This Article
APA
González MA, Bravo-Barriga D, Fernández EB, Frontera E, Ruiz-Arrondo I.
(2022).
Severe Skin Lesions Caused by Persistent Bites of the Stable Fly Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) in a Donkey Sanctuary of Western Spain.
J Equine Vet Sci, 116, 104056.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104056 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Zoología Aplicada y de la Conservación (ZAP), Universidad de las Islas Baleares (UIB), Palma de Mallorca, España.
- Parasitología, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España. Electronic address: dbravo.barriga@gmail.com.
- El Refugio del Burrito, Finca Doña Rosa, Bodonal de la Sierra, Extremadura, España.
- Parasitología, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España.
- Centro de Rickettsiosis y Enfermedades Transmitidas por Artrópodos Vectores, Hospital Universitario San Pedro-CIBIR, La Rioja, España.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dermatitis / veterinary
- Equidae
- Muscidae
- Spain / epidemiology
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