Quick Reference Tick Guide
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.
Photo provided by: buddenbohn.deviantart.com
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.
Photo provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
Photo provided by: extension.entm.purdue.edu
Lone Star Tick
Nymph
Male
Female
Engorged
Photos provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
Lone Star Tick
• Female has small white
star shape on scutum;
male has four horseshoeshaped 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 whitetailed deer
Information provided by: Novartis Animal Health US, Inc. & www.scalibor-usa.com
American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)
Nymph
Male
Female
Engorged
Photos provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)
• Male has diffuse white
streaks on reddishbrown 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. & www.scalibor-usa.com
Deer Tick (Black-Legged Tick)
Nymph
Male
Female
Engorged
Photos provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
Deer Tick (Black-Legged Tick)
• Female has an orangered 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. & www.scalibor-usa.com
Brown Dog Tick
Nymph
Male
Female
Engorged
Photos provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
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. & www.scalibor-usa.com
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.
Information provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
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.
Information provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
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.
Information provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
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
Information provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
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.
Information provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
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.
Information provided by: www.scalibor-usa.com
Safe Tick Removal
Photo provided by: extension.entm.purdue.edu
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
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
Photo provided by: alldogblog.com
Frontline Plus
• Fast-acting
• Waterproof
• Aids in the control of
sarcoptic mange
infestations
Kills for one month
• fleas, flea eggs,
ticks & chewing lice
Photo provided by: frontlineplusdog.org
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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