Protecting Livestock Against Ticks in Pennsylvania

Dermacentor albipictus
Winter ticks are commonly found on forested ungulates like deer and elk throughout Pennsylvania. However it will also feed on domestic animals if given the opportunity. It is a onehost tickmeaning that it completes its entire life cycle on a single hostso all life stages may be present on large animals.
Pathogens This tick can transmit Anaplasma marginale the pathogen that causes anaplasmosis in cattle. This disease is not
common in Pennsylvania but with movement of cattle it is still a risk. In addition to ticks it can be passed from animal to animal when needles are reused.
Asian longhorned tick Haemophysalis longicornis
This species is invasive to Pennsylvania and has been recovered from the central and eastern counties. In its native range in Asia this species prefers cattle as hosts. Unlike our native ticks affecting livestock and horses this tick is parthenogenic females can reproduce without a male and all life stages may be found on large animals. In the United States this species has been recovered primarily from deer sheep cattle and other ungulates although it has also been found on domestic pets and people.
Pathogens This tick is known to carry Theileria orientalis a pathogen that causes theileriosis in cattle. Historically the genotypes
of T. orientalis in the United States were very mild but in 2017 a pathogenic genotype Ikeda was identified in cattle in Virginia. It is thought that this genotype was introduced with this invasive tick species. Theileriosis has been associated with anemia illthrift abortions and death in cattle of all ages in Virginia.
Why should I control and remove ticks?
Ticks can transmit pathogens and cause other physical problems to animals. Ticks cause local irritation to skin which may result in hair and blood loss from rubbing on trees and fences. Secondary infections may be present in these open wounds. Heavy infestations of

ticks may cause losses to physical condition in cattle including weight loss and anemia and reduced milk production. Horses are also susceptible to Lyme disease and equine granulocytic anaplasmosis and cattle to bovine anaplasmosis. Saliva from certain tick species can also cause tickbiteassociated paralysis. In addition many ticks in Pennsylvania found on livestock and horses will also bite other animals so handling animals with tick burdens may increase the risk of bites to humans and pets.
Where should I look for ticks on my animals?
Once a tick has located an animal host they will identify a suitable area to bite. While