Tick-borne diseases, including those caused by members of the genera Anaplasma<\/i>, Borrelia, Ehrlichia<\/i>, and Rickettsia<\/i>, pose significant risks to pets. Left undetected, infections with these pathogens may result in severe disease necessitating intense treatment or hospitalization. Many diagnostic modalities are available to aid in pathogen detection, but interpretation of their results can be complex. This article describes key strategies for performing tick-borne disease diagnostic tests and interpreting the results.<\/p>\n
Take-Home Points<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div><\/div><\/p>\n In recent decades, tick-borne diseases in companion animals and humans have emerged as a growing concern throughout North America. After mosquitoes, ticks are considered the most important vectors of pathogens worldwide, including many important bacterial, protozoal, and viral agents.1<\/sup> In the United States, 95% of the vector-borne diseases reported annually are vectored by ticks, with dogs acting as sentinels for potential human exposure.2<\/sup> <\/span><\/p>\n Editor’s Note:<\/strong> Tables 1 and 3 have been revised and updated as of December 2025.<\/p>\n As the range and prevalence of vector tick species continue to expand\u2014aided by climate change and host movement\u2014the need for quick, accurately interpreted diagnostic testing has increased.3<\/sup> Many diagnostic tools are available to veterinary clinics in the United States; however, given the complicated nature of tick-borne disease epidemiology and vector species phenology, interpretation of easily accessible diagnostic tests is not without challenges. It is thus important to recognize that no single diagnostic test alone is sufficient to diagnose tick-borne disease. This article aims to provide clinically applicable advice regarding testing procedures and interpretations of common benchtop pathogen tests for tick-borne illness. <\/span><\/p>\n Many ticks of veterinary and medical importance are frequently found parasitizing domestic dogs and cats in the United States, including species of the genera Amblyomma<\/i>, Dermacentor<\/i>, Ixodes<\/i>, and Rhipicephalus<\/i>.4<\/sup> Pathogens of concern have some degree of specificity to vector species, which are in turn associated with preferential host species and environmental conditions, and pathogen\u2013vector\u2013host dynamics are responsible for maintenance of diseases in wildlife reservoirs. Seasonality and geography of vector species are important factors to consider when assessing a patient\u2019s risk of tick-borne disease, and species identification of ticks can be an important guide for diagnostic differentials and plans. <\/span><\/p>\n Tick-borne pathogens include numerous species of bacteria, protozoa, and viral agents. <\/span>BOX 1<\/b><\/span> features a selection of commonly tested pathogens of veterinary importance and their vectors in North America.5<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n\n
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\nVectors and Associated Pathogens<\/h2>\n
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