Canine/feline ticks (year 2) Flashcards
name the ticks found in dogs/cats
Ixodes ricinus
Ixodes hexagonus
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Dermacentor reticulatus
how many legs do ticks have?
8
what habitat is Ixodes ricinus found in?
woodland, scrub, upland pasture
describe the lifecycle of Ixodes ricinus
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
how long is the lifecycle of Ixodes ricinus in the UK
3 years - they feed once a year
what is questing?
when the tick climbs up vegetation and waits for a host to brush past
in what conditions does Ixodes ricinus quest?
spring/autumn in temperatures of about 7°C - take shelter in the undergrowth when it is too hot
describe the morphology of Ixodes ricinus
scutum - hardened plate on dorsal surface
soft area behind sputum allowing female to expand
long hypostome and palps
anal groove
what diseases does Ixodes ricinus transmit?
Borrelia burgdorferi - lyme disease
looping ill
red water (cattle)
Anaplasma phagocytophilum - ehrlichiosis
what environment is Rhipicephalus sanguineus found in?
adapted to living indoors in kennels, very rare in UK but found in Europe
what species is Rhipicephalus sanguineus mainly found on?
dogs
how many hosts does Rhipicephalus sanguineus have?
three
where does female Rhipicephalus sanguineus lay her eggs?
crack/crevices of buildings/kennels
describe the morphology of Rhipicephalus sanguineus
lateral projections on their false head
what diseases does Rhipicephalus sanguineus transmit?
canine babesiosis
ehrlichia
Mediterranean spotted fever
describe the morphology of Dermacentor reticulatis
silvery/grey scutum, short club shaped palps
what conditions does Dermacentor reticulatis favour?
cool wet climates
what disease are transmitted by Dermacentor reticulatis?
canine babesiosis
what is Dermacentor reticulatis also known as?
the meadow tick
what are the defining features used to identify and deferential between the ticks?
Ixodes - long palps, anal groove
Dermacentor - metallic silvery scutum, club shaped palps
Rhipicephalus - reddish colour, blunt mouthparts
what products can be used to control ticks?
imidacloprid, fipronil, permethrin, isoxalines
what tick treatment shouldn’t be used in cats?
permethrin
name some isoxalines
afoxalaner, fluralaner, lotilaner
how do isoxalines work?
kill adult fleas before they can lay eggs or transmit disease
