Ticks and tick-borne diseases of pets in the UK: risks to travellers

Abstract

The ticks most commonly found on dogs and cats in the UK are Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes hexagonus and Ixodes canisuga with other Ixodes species rarely seen. Ixodes ricinus is known to transmit some diseases in the UK. Dermacentorreticulatus and Haemaphysalis punctata also are indigenous and found occasionally on pets in some areas. Rhipicephalus sanguineus has been identified after importation on pets from continental Europe and elsewhere, despite the requirements for treatment for ticks under the pet travel scheme. The increasing movement of pets between the UK and countries with a high incidence of tick-borne disease will require the use of strong parasite control programmes to prevent the spread and import of tick-borne disease. Tick-borne diseases of pets are briefly described.