Canine/feline ticks (year 2)

Question 1

name the ticks found in dogs/cats

Answer 1

Ixodes ricinus
Ixodes hexagonus
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Dermacentor reticulatus

Question 2

how many legs do ticks have?

Answer 2

8

Question 3

what habitat is Ixodes ricinus found in?

Answer 3

woodland, scrub, upland pasture

Question 4

describe the lifecycle of Ixodes ricinus

Answer 4

3 host lifecycle
male mates with female while she takes a bloodmeal, she then falls to the ground and lays eggs
eggs hatch to 6 legged larvae and quest, feed and drop
they then moult to 8 legged nymph which quest, feed and drop of
they then moult to an adult and quest again

Question 5

how long is the lifecycle of Ixodes ricinus in the UK

Answer 5

3 years - they feed once a year

Question 6

what is questing?

Answer 6

when the tick climbs up vegetation and waits for a host to brush past

Question 7

in what conditions does Ixodes ricinus quest?

Answer 7

spring/autumn in temperatures of about 7°C - take shelter in the undergrowth when it is too hot

Question 8

describe the morphology of Ixodes ricinus

Answer 8

scutum - hardened plate on dorsal surface
soft area behind sputum allowing female to expand
long hypostome and palps
anal groove

Question 9

what diseases does Ixodes ricinus transmit?

Answer 9

Borrelia burgdorferi - lyme disease
looping ill
red water (cattle)
Anaplasma phagocytophilum - ehrlichiosis

Question 10

what environment is Rhipicephalus sanguineus found in?

Answer 10

adapted to living indoors in kennels, very rare in UK but found in Europe

Question 11

what species is Rhipicephalus sanguineus mainly found on?

Answer 11

dogs

Question 12

how many hosts does Rhipicephalus sanguineus have?

Answer 12

three

Question 13

where does female Rhipicephalus sanguineus lay her eggs?

Answer 13

crack/crevices of buildings/kennels

Question 14

describe the morphology of Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Answer 14

lateral projections on their false head

Question 15

what diseases does Rhipicephalus sanguineus transmit?

Answer 15

canine babesiosis
ehrlichia
Mediterranean spotted fever

Question 16

describe the morphology of Dermacentor reticulatis

Answer 16

silvery/grey scutum, short club shaped palps

Question 17

what conditions does Dermacentor reticulatis favour?

Answer 17

cool wet climates

Question 18

what disease are transmitted by Dermacentor reticulatis?

Answer 18

canine babesiosis

Question 19

what is Dermacentor reticulatis also known as?

Answer 19

the meadow tick

Question 20

what are the defining features used to identify and deferential between the ticks?

Answer 20

Ixodes - long palps, anal groove
Dermacentor - metallic silvery scutum, club shaped palps
Rhipicephalus - reddish colour, blunt mouthparts

Question 21

what products can be used to control ticks?

Answer 21

imidacloprid, fipronil, permethrin, isoxalines

Question 22

what tick treatment shouldn’t be used in cats?

Answer 22

permethrin

Question 23

name some isoxalines

Answer 23

afoxalaner, fluralaner, lotilaner

Question 24

how do isoxalines work?

Answer 24

kill adult fleas before they can lay eggs or transmit disease

Question 25

how often does fluralaner need to be administered?

Answer 25

every three months

Question 26

how are isoxalines administered?

Answer 26

as chewable tablets