Ticks of dogs and cats Flashcards
Ticks can be soft ticks or hard ticks. What class and subclass are ticks?
Arachnids (NOT insects)
Acari
What month has the highest tick carry?
June
What is the importance of hard ticks?
Transmits pathogens (tick-borne diseases, all zoonotic) Reduces animal production
What do ticks feed on? What is the reservoir host?
Blood
Dogs
What do ticks release to increase their blood consumption?
Vasodilators
Anticoagulators
What ticks do we need to know (4 species)?
Ixodes ricinus
Ixodes hexagons
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Dermacentor reticulatus
What morphological features do Ixodes ricinus?
2 pales either side of hypsotome
When does Ixodecus ricinus activity peak? What do they do on hot days?
Spring and Autumn
Take refuge in undergrowth
What habitat is Ixodes ricinus typically found in? How long is their life cycle?
Wooded area and pastures
3 YEARS
What tickborne diseases do Ixodes ricinus transmit?
Lyme’s disease
Louping ill
Red water (cattle)
What is Ixodes hexagonus known as? Is it a vector of disease?
Hedgehog tick
No
What is Rhipicephalus sanguineus also known as? What is a distinguishing feature?
Brown dog tick
Lateral projections on false head
Where do female Rhipicephalus sanguineus deposit their eggs?
Crevices and cracks of kennels
Huge numbers of Rhipicephalus sanguineus can infest one dog. What does it transmit?
Babesiosis
Ehrlihciosis
Where on the body is Rhipicephaus found?
Ears
Interdigital spaces
Armpit (Axilla)
What is the Dermacentor reticulatus tick also known as? How is it distinguished?
Meadow tick
Silver/grey sputum (patterned)
Club shaped pulps
What does Dermacentor reticulatus transmit? Is it serious?
Canine babesiosis
Can be fatal
What climate does Dermacentor reticulatus prefer?
Cool, wet climate
Babesiosis is spread by which ticks?
Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Dermacentor reticulatus
What drugs are often used in spot ons for tick control?
Permethrin
Imidacloprid
Isoxazolines - e.g. afoxoalner, fluralaner
Why are isoxazolines used for ticks? Are they 100% effective?
Fast kill
Prevent pathogen transmission
No drug is 100% effective
