Show us your ticks: a survey of ticks infesting dogs and cats across the USA
Abstract Background A variety of tick species infest dogs and cats in North America. Although most of these species also readily feed on people, national data regarding the species and abundance of ticks on dogs and cats are lacking. Here we report a large-scale study of ticks from dogs and cats in...
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doaj-4986f5239aa44ac599b2c021c77afdf82020-12-20T12:08:15ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052019-12-0112111110.1186/s13071-019-3847-3Show us your ticks: a survey of ticks infesting dogs and cats across the USAMeriam N. Saleh0Kellee D. Sundstrom1Kathryn T. Duncan2Michelle M. Ientile3Julia Jordy4Parna Ghosh5Susan E. Little6Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State UniversityAbstract Background A variety of tick species infest dogs and cats in North America. Although most of these species also readily feed on people, national data regarding the species and abundance of ticks on dogs and cats are lacking. Here we report a large-scale study of ticks from dogs and cats in the USA over a 12-month period. Methods Tick submissions were invited from veterinary practices in all 50 states. Ticks were submitted with information about the pet and the attachment sites of each tick marked on a biopsy chart. Upon receipt, ticks were identified to species and stage using morphologic keys; when necessary, species identification was confirmed molecularly. Results From February 2018 through January 2019, 10,978 ticks were submitted from 1494 dogs and 336 cats in 49 states and ticks were collected in every month. Dog and cat infestation intensities ranged from 1 to 4765 and from 1 to 38 (median = 1, mean = 6.7 and 2.6), respectively. Dogs were primarily infested with Dermacentor variabilis (532/1494; 35.6%), Ixodes scapularis (409/1494; 27.4%), Amblyomma americanum (345/1494; 23.1%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (172/1494; 11.5%). Cats were primarily infested with I. scapularis (156/336; 46.4%), A. americanum (99/336; 29.5%) and D. variabilis (60/336; 17.9%). Other submitted ticks included A. maculatum, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Otobius megnini, and less common Dermacentor spp. and Ixodes spp. Co-infestations were documented in 93 dogs and 14 cats. Reported attachment sites of common tick species differed. In dogs, A. americanum was most commonly attached to the abdomen, axillary, and inguinal regions; D. variabilis and I. scapularis to the head, neck, and back; and R. sanguineus to the head, neck, abdomen, legs, and feet. In cats, I. scapularis was most commonly attached to the head and A. americanum was most commonly attached to the tail and perianal region. Conclusions These data confirm that dogs and cats in the USA are at risk of tick infestation throughout the year and that tick species present in the region have apparent attachment site preferences.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3847-3AmblyommaAttachment siteCatDermacentorDogIxodidae |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Meriam N. Saleh Kellee D. Sundstrom Kathryn T. Duncan Michelle M. Ientile Julia Jordy Parna Ghosh Susan E. Little |
spellingShingle |
Meriam N. Saleh Kellee D. Sundstrom Kathryn T. Duncan Michelle M. Ientile Julia Jordy Parna Ghosh Susan E. Little Show us your ticks: a survey of ticks infesting dogs and cats across the USA Parasites & Vectors Amblyomma Attachment site Cat Dermacentor Dog Ixodidae |
author_facet |
Meriam N. Saleh Kellee D. Sundstrom Kathryn T. Duncan Michelle M. Ientile Julia Jordy Parna Ghosh Susan E. Little |
author_sort |
Meriam N. Saleh |
title |
Show us your ticks: a survey of ticks infesting dogs and cats across the USA |
title_short |
Show us your ticks: a survey of ticks infesting dogs and cats across the USA |
title_full |
Show us your ticks: a survey of ticks infesting dogs and cats across the USA |
title_fullStr |
Show us your ticks: a survey of ticks infesting dogs and cats across the USA |
title_full_unstemmed |
Show us your ticks: a survey of ticks infesting dogs and cats across the USA |
title_sort |
show us your ticks: a survey of ticks infesting dogs and cats across the usa |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Parasites & Vectors |
issn |
1756-3305 |
publishDate |
2019-12-01 |
description |
Abstract Background A variety of tick species infest dogs and cats in North America. Although most of these species also readily feed on people, national data regarding the species and abundance of ticks on dogs and cats are lacking. Here we report a large-scale study of ticks from dogs and cats in the USA over a 12-month period. Methods Tick submissions were invited from veterinary practices in all 50 states. Ticks were submitted with information about the pet and the attachment sites of each tick marked on a biopsy chart. Upon receipt, ticks were identified to species and stage using morphologic keys; when necessary, species identification was confirmed molecularly. Results From February 2018 through January 2019, 10,978 ticks were submitted from 1494 dogs and 336 cats in 49 states and ticks were collected in every month. Dog and cat infestation intensities ranged from 1 to 4765 and from 1 to 38 (median = 1, mean = 6.7 and 2.6), respectively. Dogs were primarily infested with Dermacentor variabilis (532/1494; 35.6%), Ixodes scapularis (409/1494; 27.4%), Amblyomma americanum (345/1494; 23.1%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (172/1494; 11.5%). Cats were primarily infested with I. scapularis (156/336; 46.4%), A. americanum (99/336; 29.5%) and D. variabilis (60/336; 17.9%). Other submitted ticks included A. maculatum, Haemaphysalis longicornis, Otobius megnini, and less common Dermacentor spp. and Ixodes spp. Co-infestations were documented in 93 dogs and 14 cats. Reported attachment sites of common tick species differed. In dogs, A. americanum was most commonly attached to the abdomen, axillary, and inguinal regions; D. variabilis and I. scapularis to the head, neck, and back; and R. sanguineus to the head, neck, abdomen, legs, and feet. In cats, I. scapularis was most commonly attached to the head and A. americanum was most commonly attached to the tail and perianal region. Conclusions These data confirm that dogs and cats in the USA are at risk of tick infestation throughout the year and that tick species present in the region have apparent attachment site preferences. |
topic |
Amblyomma Attachment site Cat Dermacentor Dog Ixodidae |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3847-3 |
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