Ticks Of Dogs and Cats

Question 1

What class are ticks in and why?

Answer 1

Arachnida- 4 pairs of legs, not separate body parts

Question 2

What is the order and two families of ticks?

Answer 2

Order Ixodida
Family Ixodidae- hard ticks
Family argasidae- soft ticks

Question 3

What are the three ticks found in the UK and what extra 2 are found in Europe?

Answer 3

Ixodes ricinus
I. Hexagonus
Dermacentor reticulatus
Europe- rhipicephalus sanguineus and D.reticulatus

Question 4

Describe the features of the ixodes ricinus

Answer 4

Scutum covers all males dorsal surface
Scutum covers half female dorsal for blood meals/egg production
2 long palps either side of hypostome
Dorsal surface there is anal groove with anus in centre

Question 5

What is a scutum a hypostome and palps?

Answer 5

Scutum is the hard covering on the dorsal surface of ticks
Hypostome is like a needle with barbs
Palps cover the hypostome

Question 6

When do ticks start to quest and when are there two main peaks in activity?

Answer 6

Begin to quest in spring

Peaks in activity spring and autumn

Question 7

What to ticks feed on and what is their normal habitat?

Answer 7

Feed- Birds, small mammals, deer, sheep, cattle, dogs, humans
Habitat- wooded areas, upland pastures

Question 8

What diseases can ticks transmit?

Answer 8

Lyme disease, louping ill, red water, anaplasma, rickettsias

Question 9

How many hostile cycle does ixodes ricinus have and how long does it take?

Answer 9

3 host

3 years

Question 10

Describe the life cycle the ixodes ricinus?

Answer 10

Adult female attaches to host and feeds
Adult male attaches whilst female takes blood meal and mates
Once engorged she drops to ground and lays eggs
eggs hatch to 6 legged larvae
larvae quest to small host (rodent) feed drop off malt into 8 legged adult

Question 11

What is the common name for ixodes hexagonus?

Answer 11

The hedgehog tick

Question 12

How can you determine rhipicephalus sanguineus?

Answer 12

Lateral projections on the false head

Question 13

What diseases does rhipicephalus sanguineus transmit?

Answer 13

Canine babesiosis and ehrlichiosis

Question 14

What does rhipicephalus sanguineus usually feed on and why?

Answer 14

Dogs

Highly adapted to do so- in accomodation, ears, interdigital spaces

Question 15

How do infestations of rhipicephalus sanguineus break out?

Answer 15

Females drop off at night and drop into crevices and cracks and deposit eggs

Question 16

How can dermacentor reticulatus be determined?

Answer 16

Distinct silver grey scutum

Club shaped palps

Question 17

What disease does dermacentor reticulatus transmit, what environment does it prefer and what name is it commonly referred to as?

Answer 17

Disease- canine babesiosis
Prefers cool, wet climates
Name- meadow tick

Question 18

What species of tick cannot be a vector of canine babesiosis?

Answer 18

Ixodes ricinus

Question 19

In the UK what % of dogs had ticks?

Answer 19

30%

Question 20

In the 30% of dogs with ticks in the UK what % where I.ricinus, I.hexagonus, I.canisuga

Answer 20

89% I.ricinus

9. 8% I.hexagonus
10. 8% I.canisuga

Question 21

How can ticks be controlled in dogs and cats?

Answer 21

Dogs- permethrin and imidacloprid spot on (impregnated collars)
Dogs/Cats- Imidacloprid and flumethrin collar, fipronil spot on, fluralaner
Isoxazolines- latest, kill and prevent