72 THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA 



infested as the street cur. Some of the examinations referred to 

 here were made on subjects used in the laboratory for dissection. 

 The most of these animals, however, were taken at random from 

 the streets. Many of the autopsies were performed on animals sent 

 to the laboratory from various parts of the state as rabies suspects. 

 This class of dogs is fairly cosmopolian as far as caste is con- 

 cerned. 



The symptoms of worm infection, as a rule, are not marked 

 unless the worms are numerous. Then they may be noted from 

 emaciation, anemic and toxic conditions and frequently a diarrhoea, 

 especially when hookworms are present. Segments of tapeworms 

 and eggs can be found upon examination of the feces. Young dogs 

 often have "fits" and may sometimes show slight indications of 

 chorea, especially from hookworm infestation. 



External Parasites 



The external parasites of our dogs and cats are numerous. It 

 is an unusual occurrence to find a dog, which has been allowed 

 ordinary liberties, to be free from fleas and lice. Cats, as a rule, 

 are not as heavily infested. Ctenocephalus canis, the dog flea, and 

 Ctenocephalus felis, the cat flea, are closely related, in fact are 

 considered as identical by some writers. These fleas are comm.only 

 found on the dogs and cats ot this country. It is not uncommon 

 to find these parasitic insects upon man as they are so cosmopoli- 

 tan in their habitat that they are not limited entirely to one particu- 

 lar host. Pidex irritaiis, the human flea, is commonly found on 

 dogs and cats of Oklahoma. Aside from the irritation and annoy- 

 ance caused by these parasites, they are also capable of transmitting 

 the dog tapeworm, Dipylidiuni caninuni. and also in the parts of the 

 world where bubonic plague is prevalent, they may be carriers. We 

 very often find the chicken "sticktight" flea, Echidnophnga galli- 

 nacea, on the dogs and sometimes on cats of this locality. They 

 are usually found on the underparts of the abdomen not heavily 

 covered with hair. 



Oklahoma dogs are commonly infested with the biting louse, 

 Trichodestes latus, and occasionlly with the sucking louse, Lino- 

 gnathus {Haematopinus) pilifenis. Cats aparently harbour only 

 one species, Trichodcrtes subrostratus, a biting louse. 



Frequently cases of mange come under our observation from 

 our canine and feline population. Sarcoptic mange, caused by 

 varieties of Sarcoptes scabiei, is the common type in our cats and 

 dogs. Occasiona'ly, among our dogs, we find a subject showing 

 the follicular type which is caused by Demodex foUiculorutn canis. 



