More than just pests, ticks can not only cause injury and initiate allergic responses, but they can transmit bacterial, protozoal and viral pathogens. This presentation will review the most important North American tick species important to dog and cat health, their geographic distribution and seasonality, species identification and pathogen transmission risk. Basic tick anatomy, biology and life cycle will also be covered. Diagnostic options for tick-borne diseases and strategies to prevent tick bites and tickborne diseases will be highlighted.
Learning Objectives:
Learn how to identify Haemaphysalis longicornis, or the Asian longhorned tick, the newest tick species making a home in the United States
Understand the tick’s current geographic distribution, its unique reproductive cycle, and its potential for pathogen transmission to pets and humans.
Appreciate how the major tick species parasitizing dogs and cats are expanding their geographic ranges and bringing pathogens with them
.jpg "Kathryn E. Reif, MSPH, PhD photo")
