quick reference tick guide. a tick is not just a tick. it’s important to be able to tell the types...

Quick Reference Tick Guide

A tick is not just a tick.

It’s important to be able to tell the types of ticks apart because each species can transmit

different, sometimes serious diseases to pets and humans alike. Identifying a tick is an

important part of making a correct diagnosis.Information provided by: Novartis Animal Health US, Inc.

Photo provided by: buddenbohn.deviantart.com

Tick Basics• The tick has four life stages: egg, larva, nymph and adult• Females tend to be larger than males• The scutum, or hard shell, expands over the male’s whole

back, but extends only one third of the way down a female’s back

• Tick color, scutum pattern and mouthpart size are often distinctive to a species

Information provided by: Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. Photo provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com

Photo provided by: extension.entm.purdue.edu

Lone Star Tick

Nymph Male

Female Engorged

Photos provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com

Lone Star Tick• Female has small white

star shape on scutum; male has four horseshoe-shaped white marks along edge of scutum

• Mouthparts in both are long and barbed, making it difficult to remove attached ticks

• Commonly transmits ehrlichiosis and babesiosis

• Known for having the most annoying bites

Habitat:• Most commonly found in

woodland habitats with dense underbrush, but can also be found in grassy meadows and young forests.

Hosts:• Larvae and Nymphs- cats,

coyotes, deer, dogs, humans, rabbits, red fox, squirrels, raccoons, turkey, white-tailed deer, and numerous other mammals

• Adults- cats, cattle, coyotes, dogs, horses, humans, raccoons, sheep and white-tailed deer

Information provided by: Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. & www.scalibor-usa.com

American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)

Nymph Male

Female Engorged


American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)

• Male has diffuse white streaks on reddish-brown body; female is slightly larger with large white splotches on scutum, reddish-brown body

• Both have stubby mouthparts

• Commonly transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia

• One of the largest ticks

Habitat:• Grassy meadows, young

forests, along roadways and trails

Hosts:• Larvae- voles, mice,

numerous small mammals

• Nymphs- cats, dogs, opossums, rabbits and raccoons

• Adults- cats, coyotes, cattle, horses, raccoons and other large mammals


Deer Tick (Black-Legged Tick)

Nymph Male

Female Engorged


Deer Tick (Black-Legged Tick)

• Female has an orange-red body with dark legs and scutum; male is smaller and dark in color

• Mouthparts are much longer than those of the brown dog tick

• Commonly transmits Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis

• Favors brushy or heavily wooded areas

Habitat:• Deciduous forests such as

maple and oak woodlands adjacent brush or grass.

Hosts:• Larvae- various rodents,

small mammals, birds and lizards

• Nymphs- birds, cats, chipmunks, mice, opossums, raccoons, rodents, squirrels and and humans

• Adults- cattle, coyotes, dogs, foxes, horses, humans, deer, opossums and raccoons


Brown Dog Tick

Nymph Male

Female Engorged


Brown Dog Tick

• Has flat, brown body; male and female very similar in appearance

• Commonly transmits ehrlichiosis and babesiosis

• One of the most common ticks

• Thrives indoors

Habitat:• Most common in warm

subtropical climates, occurring in shaded sandy areas. Found in cracks and crevices in houses, garages and dog runs. Often will crawl up walls in homes and kennels and can be found in false ceilings.

Hosts:• Larvae and Nymphs- Prefer to

feed on dogs, but will also feed on other mammals, including rodents and rabbits

• Adults- Prefer to feed on dogs, but will also rarely feed on a variety of other mammals


Lyme Disease• Lyme Disease is caused by a tick-transmitted

spirochete bacteria, and this organism commonly causes disease in humans and dogs. This disease has been reported in all 50 states. Clinical signs of infection include fever, anorexia, lethargy, shifting leg lameness related to polyarthritis, and enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy). Cardiac and renal signs, which can lead to death, may also occur. Lyme disease can be difficult to accurately diagnose because some dogs get infected with the organism and develop detectable antibodies but do not develop signs of disease. Disease prevention by reducing exposure to tick habitats, protecting pets with products and vaccination against Lyme disease is recommended.

Information provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com

Canine Hepatozoonosis

• Canine Hepatozoonosis is unique in that dogs must ingest the tick to become infected with this disease. Once ingested by the dog, the infective agents contained in the tick are released and infect white blood cell and cells of many other organs. Clinical signs of disease include fever, anemia and progressive weight loss. Disease can be seen in dogs of all ages, but is most commonly seen in puppies. Because there is no vaccine, tick control is the best form of prevention.


Canine Ehrlichiosis• Canine Ehrlichiosis is widespread in large parts

of North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The disease occurs as acute, subclinical and chronic phases. The acute phase starts with fever, anorexia, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), edema (tissue swelling), vomiting, lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes) and vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels). The acute phase is transient, usually resolving in one to two weeks. Chronic signs of disease include bleeding tendencies, anemia, severe weight loss and debilitation, ocular and neurologic signs. There is no vaccine currently available, so tick control measures are important for disease prevention.


Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) occurs in many areas of the United States, but despite the name, it is most commonly seen east of the Mississippi River, especially in the southeastern U.S. The organism causes a wide variety of clinical signs including fever, anorexia, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, polyarthritis, neurological signs, epistaxis (nose-bleeds), cutaneous hemorrhages and death. There is no vaccine against RMSF so minimizing tick so tick control measures are important for disease prevention


Canine Anaplasmosis

• Canine Anaplasmosis is found in areas endemic for those tick species with high prevalence reported in California, Minnesota, Wisconsin and many New England states, and occurs in dogs, horses, humans and other animals. Clinical signs of disease include fever, lethargy, low lymphocyte count (lymphopenia) and low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). There is no vaccine against this disease so tick control measures are again critical to disease prevention.


Canine Babesiosis

• Canine Babesiosis is a disease transmitted by ticks. The disease organism infects and replicates in red blood cells causing immune mediated reactions leading to hemolytic anemia and hemoglobinuria (blood pigments in urine). If not treated, the dog will develop icterus (yellowing of the skin), and enlargement of the spleen and lymph nodes. Severe anemia can develop leading to diffuse intravascular coagulation, renal failure and death. Tick control is important in disease prevention.


Safe Tick Removal

Photo provided by: extension.entm.purdue.edu

Tick Control GuidelinesRegular monthly application of tick control• Monthly, year round, application provides the greatest level of

protection against the risk of tick infestation and associated tick-borne disease transmission in dogs. Often, pets encounter a very large number of ticks in a short period of time.

Use year-round• Tick questing patterns can change based on seasonal temperature

fluctuations, and some adult ticks can survive through winter snow.

Use a product that both repels and kills ticks• Preventing attachment and feeding of ticks helps reduce the risk of

disease transmission.

Environmental control• In cases of severe infestations of a yard, environmental control may

be a consideration. Use environmental control products according to label directions.

Information provided by: Bayer Animal Health

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Vectra 3D• Quick onset of activity

within 2 hours; kills fleas in 6 hours

• Prevents the development of fleas, flea eggs, larvae and pupae for one month

• Convenient topical treatment with patented applicator

• Quick drying, non-greasy and water resistant

Repels and kills for onemonth• Fleas, ticks,

mosquitoes, sand flies, mites, biting & sucking lice

Photo provided by: alldogblog.com

Frontline Plus

• Fast-acting• Waterproof• Aids in the control of

sarcoptic mange infestations

Kills for one month• fleas, flea eggs,

ticks & chewing lice

Photo provided by: frontlineplusdog.org

Revolution

• Kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching for one month

• Prevents and controls flea infestations

• Prevents heartworm disease

• Treats and controls ear mite infestations

• Controls American dog tick infestations

Photo provided by: vetwebdesigners.com

quick reference tick guide. a tick is not just a tick. it’s important to be able to tell the types...

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