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- Train graduate veterinarians and other scientists in clinical, applied veterinary parasitology<\/li>\n
- Promote outstanding, clinically relevant veterinary parasitology research<\/li>\n
- Provide diagnostic veterinary services in clinical parasitology to practicing veterinarians<\/li>\n
- Provide balanced, science-based consulting expertise on parasite treatment and prevention strategies.
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\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nCommon Ticks in Cats (Table 1) <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Amblyomma americanum<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Amblyomma americanum<\/em>, the lone star tick<\/strong>, lives in wooded habitats, especially woody areas with large populations of white-tailed deer, in the south central and southeastern U.S., with a range extending along the Atlantic coast from New York to Florida and to Texas and Oklahoma.<\/p>\n
In the southeastern U.S., nymphs and adults are most active in late spring, while larvae appear in late summer. All stages of this tick (ie, larvae, nymphs, adults) feed on cats, dogs, livestock, wildlife, and humans.1<\/sup> The lone star tick is an important vector for Cytauxzoon felis<\/em> (cytauxzoonosis),2,3<\/sup> Francisella tularensis<\/em> (tularemia),4<\/sup> and Ehrlichia<\/em> species (ehrlichiosis) in domestic cats.5<\/sup><\/p>\n
Dermacentor andersoni<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Dermacentor andersoni<\/em>, the Rocky Mountain wood tick<\/strong>, is distributed throughout the Rocky Mountains in the western part of the U.S. Adults and nymphs are active in the spring and early summer and infest medium- and large-sized mammals, while larvae are most active in the summer and prefer to feed on small mammals.1<\/sup> The Rocky Mountain wood tick is a vector for F tularensis<\/em> in domestic cats.4<\/sup><\/p>\n
Dermacentor occidentalis<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Dermacentor occidentalis<\/em>, the Pacific coast tick<\/strong>, is distributed throughout the western U.S., along the Pacific coast. Adults feed on medium-large mammals, such as cattle, horses, deer, dogs, cats, and humans; immature ticks are thought to feed on small mammals.6<\/sup> Adults and nymphs are most active during late winter and early spring, while larvae are active from summer through winter, with peak activity in July.7<\/sup> The Pacific coast tick is a vector for F tularensis<\/em> in cats.4<\/sup><\/p>\n
Dermacentor variabilis<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Dermacentor variabilis<\/em>, the American dog tick<\/strong>, is found in grassy meadows and along trails in forested areas throughout the eastern, south central, and western U.S. Larvae and nymphs actively feed on small mammals in late winter and spring, while adults feed on cats, dogs, livestock, wildlife, and humans. Adult D variabilis<\/em> are most active in late spring and early summer.1<\/sup> The American dog tick can be a vector for C felis<\/em>,8<\/sup> F tularensis<\/em>,4<\/sup> and Ehrlichia<\/em> species5,9<\/sup> in cats.<\/p>\n
Ixodes scapularis<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Ixodes scapularis<\/em>, the black-legged tick<\/strong> or deer tick<\/strong>, is most abundant in dense, humid, wooded habitats, and widespread throughout most of the eastern, south central, and midwestern U.S. Immature stages usually feed on small mammals, lizards, and birds. Seasonal activity peaks for nymphs and larvae in May through August and July through September, respectively. Adults feed on medium- and large-sized animals, especially white-tailed deer, and become most active during October and May.1,10<\/sup> The black-legged tick is a vector for Borrelia burgdorferi<\/em>11,12<\/sup> and Anaplasma phagocytophilum<\/em> (anaplasmosis)9,13<\/sup> in cats.<\/p>\n
Ixodes pacificus <\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Ixodes pacificus<\/em>, the western black-legged tick<\/strong> or deer tick<\/strong>, is found in western North America, primarily along the Pacific coast. Habitats, feeding targets, and seasonal activities are similar to those for I scapularis<\/em>.1<\/sup> The western black-legged tick is a vector for B burgdorferi<\/em>11,12<\/sup> and A phagocytophilum<\/em> in cats.9,13<\/sup><\/p>\n
Rhipicephalus sanguineus<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rhipicephalus sanguineus<\/em>, the brown dog tick<\/strong>, is a common tick found throughout the world. Although dogs are its primary host, this tick also feeds on other animals, including cats14<\/sup>; those living in homes with infested dogs are at an increased risk. All motile stages of this tick can be found on the same host. Seasonal activity peaks in summer; however, the brown dog tick can remain active throughout the year when home infestations occur.1<\/sup> Species of Ehrlichia<\/em> are thought to be transmitted to cats by the brown dog tick.5,9<\/sup><\/p>\n
![\"2015_0506_PP_Tick](\"https:\/\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/06\/2015_0506_PP_Tick-Borne-Diseases_Table1.jpg\")
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