Introduction

• Ticks are common parasites affecting dogs in many areas of the world. They are obligate blood feeding ectoparasites and are considered to be the most important arthropod vector of infectious diseases of veterinary importance. A single family of ticks the Ixodidae, and in particular species of Rhipicephalus Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Dermacentor Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes Ixodes ricinus, Haemaphysalis and Amblyomma Amblyomma americanum Amblyomma maculatum, are of major concern for dogs due to their co-evolution with a variety of viruses, bacteria and protozoa. Tick-transmitted diseases are often serious and difficult and expensive to treat. Optimal tick control is essential in protecting dogs.
• Specialized anatomy and biological characteristics make controlling tick infestations challenging.
• Ticks are adapted for relatively prolonged attachment to their hosts. The paired chelicerae penetrate the epidermis and macerate dermal capillaries, and the toothed hypostome in combination with secretion of specialized cement, holds the mouthparts in place during feeding. The introduction of immune-modulatory and anti-coagulant salivary molecules around the bite site allows effective feeding by dampening down the localized cutaneous inflammatory response. At the same time, the molecules produce an environment suitable for the introduction and establishment of tick borne infections in susceptible hosts. Ticks will remain attached to their hosts for several days before dropping off into the environment.
• The optimal environments for tick development vary with the species involved but commonly include mixed forest, grass, rough pasture and moorland vegetation with suitable populations of small mammals or birds on which they can feed during their immature stages. Dogs most commonly become infested with ticks when they are walking, working or hunting in these areas. However, Rhipicephalus sanguineus readily adapts to kennel and household environments.
• The immature tick stages survive off the host for extended periods of time in sheltered areas and the life cycle can last for several seasons/years. The risk of dogs being bitten by ticks varies with the time of year; they appear more at risk during the spring and autumn periods but this varies with geographical region, tick species and with the effect of climate change (in more southerly parts of Europe there can be several generations in a year).
  Print off the owner factsheet on Tick control Tick control to give to your client.

Visual examination and removal of ticks from dogs/cats

On-animal application of acaricides

Products to repel ticks or decrease tick attachment

Prevention of infestation or re-infection; frequency of administration

Environmental control

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Dryden M W, Payne P A (2004) Biology and control of ticks infesting dogs and cats in North America.​ Veterinary Therapeutics 5 (2), 129-154 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Therapies available for dogs and cats in the UK can be found in summary form on the ESCCAP and ESCCAP UK websites: www.esccap.organdwww.esccapuk.org.uk.
• NOAH (2009) Compendium of Data sheets for Animal Medicines http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/.
• Wall R, Pitts K (2005) Arthropod vectors of infectious disease: biology and control. In: Arthropod-borne Infectious Disease of Dogs and Cats. S E Shaw, M J Day (eds), Manson Publishing Ltd, London, pp 11-22,
• Veterinary Ectoparasites: Biology, Pathology and Control. (2001) edn 2, Wall and Shearer, Blackwell Science Ltd London, pp71-74.