TICKSOnly 3 species of ticks – Ixodes ricinus (castor bean tick), Haemaphysalis punctata (coastal red tick) and Dermacentor reticulatus (marsh tick) – infest UK livestock.

Ixodes ricinus is widely distributed throughout the UK, wherever the environment favours the survival of the free living stages. Ticks are active for longest in the western parts of the UK, but climate change is disrupting the usual seasonal patterns.

In the UK, ticks are vectors for infectious diseases such as redwater fever (Babesia spp), tick-borne fever, tick pyaemia and louping ill. Infestations are seen typically in extensively managed systems where cattle have access to tick habitats such as rough hill ground.

Whilst several tick species affect UK cattle, they are particularly important in the restricted areas where they act as a vector for babesiosis (redwater fever). Caused by a protozoan parasite, babesiosis is spread between cattle by ticks as they feed. Infection with this parasite causes significant damage to red blood cells and therefore anaemia. Affected cattle become feverish and may suffer from diarrhoea. Frequently, the signs are mild, but economic performance of cattle may be affected through reduced weight gains and fertility losses (abortion).

There are no licensed treatments for tick control in cattle. Farmers are advised to speak to their vet.

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Ixodes ricinus adults and nymphs.

For further information please see the product’s SPC or contact Zoetis UK Limited, Walton Oaks, Dorking Road, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7NS. www.zoetis.co.uk. Customer Support: 0845 300 8034.

Use medicines responsibly (www.noah.co.uk/responsible). Date of preparation: April 2016 AH106/16