Ticks at a Glance

Tick species and populations vary according to region, ecology, and environmental patterns.* The veterinary team is the first line of defense against the transmission of tick-borne diseases, and education is the best weapon. Common Ticks & Diseases They Transmit •Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum): Noted for its long mouth parts and a single white spot on the back of adult females. Found in wooded areas and grassy meadows. Associated with white-tailed deer. Potential pathogens transmitted include Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E ewingii, Francisella tularensis, and Cytauxzoon felis. •Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum): Mouth parts are similar in length to the Lone Star tick, but the scutum (back plate) is more ornate and lacks a white dot. Range is also limited compared with the Lone Star tick. Capable of transmitting Hepatozoon americanum and Rickettsia parkeri. •Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis): Also known as the Deer tick, identified by long mouth parts and a black scutum on the adult female. As suggested by its nickname, also is associated with white- tailed deer. Capable of transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti. •American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis): Found in Eastern and Central U.S., as well as areas of the Pacific Coast. Identified by a distinctive ornate scutum and short mouth parts. Commonly encountered along roadways and trails and in forests. Potential vectored pathogens include Rickettsia rickettsii, Francisella tularensis, and Cytauxzoon felis. •Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus): Identified by short mouth parts and a brown scutum. Thrives in dry environments. This tick is a 3-host tick but is unique in that all 3 hosts can be dogs, or the same dog, accounting for home and kennel infestations. Agents vectored include Ehrlichia canis, E ewingii, E chaffeensis, Rickettsia rickettsii, Babesia canis, B gibsoni, Hepatozoon canis, and possibly Anaplasma platys. •Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni): Like the American Dog tick, commonly found along roadways, trails, and in forests of the Rocky Mountain region. Can potentially transmit Rickettsia rickettsii and Francisella tularensis. •Western Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes pacificus): Like the Blacklegged tick, transmission of organisms responsible for anaplasmosis and Lyme disease is possible. Commonly found near the West Coast. Environmental Control •Remove brush piles and mow and trim tall grass •Avoid attracting deer and control other hosts (eg, mice) •Apply environmental acaricides to yards, kennels, or other areas where dogs congregate Patient-Specific Control •Keep cats indoors •Treat outdoor cats with approved acaricides year-round •Use topical acaricides year-round; consider the strategic application of additional products for patients with high exposure (eg, hunting dogs) •Use long-acting collars, which are effective and may improve compliance. Every year, client misconceptions about ticks lead to needless morbidity from tick-borne illnesses. Although many clients have strong doubts about the need for year-round protection, client education—especially when presented without judgment—saves lives. Every team member can help clients make good decisions by knowing the facts and communicating them with conviction.