Dog ticks do not transmit Lyme disease. Their bites rarely result in serious disease in Michigan, but like other wood ticks, dog ticks are a known carrier of Rocky Mountain
and tularemia.
Lyme disease is a debilitating and sometimes long-term condition caused by a bacterial infection spread by certain species of ticks. In the United States, the predominant tick species responsible for transmitting the disease is the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick. However, there is another species of tick commonly found in the U.S. known as the American dog tick, and there is confusion as to whether or not it can carry and transmit Lyme disease. To answer this question, it is important to understand the lifecycle of the American dog tick and how it interacts with the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. This blog post will take a closer look at the American dog tick and whether it is a carrier of Lyme disease.
What is an American Dog Tick?
The American dog tick, also known as the wood tick, was named after the fact that adult ticks prefer to feed on domestic dogs and that it is the only species of tick found in North America. The American dog tick belongs to the hard tick family, which means that it has a tough outer shell as protection. As they draw blood from their host, American dog ticks are known to carry bacteria that cause illnesses in humans like Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Early spring and summer are the most likely times to be exposed to these ticks.
Brown with whitish to gray markings
Larvae have 6 legs, nymphs and adults have 8 legs
3/16” (5 mm) unengorged, 5/8” (15 mm) engorged
Found throughout the U.S., except the Rocky Mountains area
The American dog tick has a three-host life cycle, using a different host during each of its three stages of development (larva, nymph, and adult). Depending on host availability and environmental factors, the life cycle can take up to two years to complete. A blood meal is necessary for growth from one life stage to the next and for adult females to produce eggs. Small mammals are what larvae typically eat, and they have demonstrated a preference for white-footed mice and meadow voles. Nymphs typically favor smaller hosts like raccoons and opossums, whereas adults favor larger hosts like dogs, deer, and people. Adults are typically active from April to August, with May and June being the busiest months. When adult deer ticks are most active, in October and November, they cease to be active.
When unfed, the adult female American dog tick measures about 14 inch in length, but when it is fully gorged, it can reach lengths of up to 12 inch. Males tend to be slightly smaller. Usually reddish-brown in color, adult females have a creamy-white dorsal shield or scutum on their backs, directly behind their heads. Adult males are also reddish-brown in color, but their entire back is covered in markings that are either cream or gray.
Habitat/Range: The American dog tick can be found in some areas along the Pacific Coast and is widely dispersed east of the Rocky Mountains. It is widespread and relatively common in Maine, especially in the southwestern part of the state. The American dog tick is quite resistant to drying out when compared to other tick species, so it can be found in drier habitats like open fields and lawns in addition to forested areas.
American dog ticks are the main carriers of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the eastern United States, and they are important medically and veterinaryly. There have not yet been any Rocky Mountain spotted fever cases identified in Maine. Additionally, it is known that American dog ticks can spread tularemia and canine tick paralysis. The bacteria that causes Lyme disease can be found in American dog ticks, but they don’t appear to be able to spread the bacteria to people or other hosts.
There are a variety of symptoms with Lyme disease. It can begin with a rash and flu-like symptoms. Joint pain and conditions affecting your brain are some of the more severe signs and symptoms of untreated Lyme disease.
Ticks were believed to be passive organisms that we unintentionally ingested while walking through brush or tall grasses.
It’s crucial to remove ticks from the skin right away and keep an eye on any symptoms that develop after being bitten.
A bull’s-eye rash radiating from the tick bite is one indication of Lyme disease. Even if the tick descended from your body before you noticed it, you might still notice this rash.
Ticks that are living on a host must bite and eat blood to survive. This behavior can spread disease in humans and animals.
FAQ
Can you get Lyme disease from an American dog tick?
Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum), American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis), Rocky Mountain wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni), and brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) are examples of ticks that are not known to transmit Lyme disease.
What diseases does the American dog tick carry?
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Rickettsia rickettsii (bacteria)
- Tularemia. Francisella tularensis (bacteria)
Do American dog ticks carry disease in dogs?
The American dog tick, brown dog tick, and lone star tick are among the numerous tick species that can spread canine ehrlichiosis. After your dog has been infected, symptoms of this condition typically start to show up one to three weeks later and may include fever, poor appetite, nosebleeds, and bruising.
What percentage of dog ticks carry Lyme disease?
The Minnesota Department of Health reports that the bacteria that causes Lyme disease is present in 1 in 3 adult ticks and 1 in 5 nymph ticks.