1. Quick Reference Tick Guide

2. 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.
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3. 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.
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Lone Star Tick
Nymph Male
Female Engorged
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6. 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. &

7. American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)
Nymph Male
Female Engorged
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8. 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
Information provided by: Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. &

9. Deer Tick (Black-Legged Tick)
Nymph Male
Female Engorged
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10. 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
Information provided by: Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. &

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Brown Dog Tick
Nymph Male
Female Engorged
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12. 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
Information provided by: Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. &

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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.
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14. 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.
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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.
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16. 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
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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.
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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.
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Safe Tick Removal
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20. Tick Control Guidelines
Regular 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 one
month
Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, sand flies, mites, biting & sucking lice
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Fast-acting
Waterproof
Aids in the control of sarcoptic mange infestations
Kills for one month
fleas, flea eggs, ticks & chewing lice
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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
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