What species causes a disease known as walking dandruff?

• A. Trombicula species
• B. Sarcoptes species
• C. Demodex species
• D. Cheyletiella species

Answer: (D)

Walking dandruff is caused by Cheyletiella mites, fur mites that live on the surface of the skin and move through the coat. Their relatively visible size lets them be seen roaming around on hair shafts, giving the appearance of dandruff that walks, which is how the name originated. These mites irritate the skin and shed scales, leading to itching and visible flaking in dogs, cats, and sometimes rabbits. The other mites listed cause different problems: Trombicula (chiggers) produce irritation but don’t create the moving dandruff look; Sarcoptes causes severe itching and mange with burrowing; Demodex lives in hair follicles or sebaceous glands and causes demodicosis, not walking dandruff.