Parameter | Choices | Comments |
---|---|---|
Viability | Live, Dead | Live ticks showed leg movement, no crenation and possible engorgement, presence of tick faeces and/or attachment site inflammation. Dead ticks had no leg movement, no reaction when stimulated, and possible crenation. |
Attachment | Attached, Free | A tick classified as attached had its hypostome embedded into the dog’s skin and was not easily dislodged. A free tick was either live and moving through the coat, or dead and sitting in the hair. |
Feeding | Unengorged, Partially Engorged or Fully Engorged | \Unengorged ticks showed no swelling or evidence of blood ingestion; engorged ticks were 12 - 15 mm long, 8- 10 mm wide and had a turgid appearance. Engorged ticks are typically not seen before 6 days post infestation and were not observed during this study because ticks were removed at 72 h post infestation. Engorging ticks show a conspicuous swelling of the alloscutum, and appear wider and longer than unengorged ticks. These ticks also contain blood or digested blood. |