Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ticks and tick diseases in dogs and cats in Central Europe
By Ghodrati, Sajjad et al.·Published in Parasites & vectors·2025·Department of Botany and Zoology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diversity of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from dogs and cats: a focus on Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Ticks are a common problem for dogs and cats in Central Europe, with a study finding that over 29% of ticks removed from pets tested positive for harmful pathogens. The most frequently found tick species was Ixodes ricinus, which was present throughout the year, especially peaking in spring and autumn. These ticks can carry diseases like anaplasmosis and Lyme disease, which can affect your pet's health. It's important to regularly check your pets for ticks and discuss preventive treatments with your veterinarian to keep them safe from these risks.
People also search for: dog tick prevention · cat tick treatment · symptoms of Lyme disease in pets · how to remove a tick from a dog · tick-borne diseases in cats
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ticks in Europe comprise over 100 species, with Ixodes, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, and Haemaphysalis being the most prevalent. Ixodes ricinus is the most widespread, while Dermacentor reticulatus is common in central Europe. Rhipicephalus sanguineus has expanded into temperate regions, affecting tick-host interactions and pathogen transmission. Companion animals, especially dogs and cats, are common tick hosts and vectors for pathogens such as borreliosis, anaplasmosis, and canine babesiosis. This study investigates the prevalence and species composition of ticks infesting dogs and cats in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, focusing on seasonal trends and pathogen occurrence. METHODS: From 2020 to 2022, ticks were collected from dogs and cats during veterinary consultations across five countries. A total of 4563 ticks were identified morphologically, and 1085 were screened for pathogens, including Babesia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. RESULTS: I. ricinus was the predominant species (65.0%), followed by D. reticulatus (29.8%) and R. sanguineus (3.8%). Ticks were present year-round, with peaks in spring and autumn. Of the 1085 tested ticks, 29.0% were positive for at least one pathogen, with A. phagocytophilum being the most common (15.0%). B. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in 7.0% of ticks, and Babesia spp. in 6.5%, predominantly B. canis. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the year-round risk of tick infestations and vector-borne pathogen transmission in dogs and cats in Central Europe, underscoring the need for ongoing tick surveillance. Veterinary practitioners should enhance public awareness about ticks and associated health risks for companion animals.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40691614/