The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) on an imported dog

Authors: Ker J, Tenquist JD, McKenna PB
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 23, Issue 10, pp 242, Oct 1975
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Biosecurity, Inflammation, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Disease/defect, Notifiable organisms/exotic disease, Import/export/trade, Parasites - external
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: We wish to record the presence of the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus on a dog imported from Australia. This tick is mainly parasitic on dogs although on rare occasions it has been collected from non-canine hosts (Roberts, 1965). Experimentally it has been shown capable of transmitting a wide variety of serious diseases but its role as a natural vector of many of them is unknown. In Australia it has been demonstrated as being naturally infected with CoxieIla burnetii (Smith, 1942) and is a presumed vector of Babesia canis of dogs (Hill and Bolton, 1966). The tick is widely distributed, and is recorded from all continents and some oceanic islands lying between latitudes 50°N and 36°S (Roberts, 1970). Auckland falls within these boundaries and therefore it is not unreasonable to suggest that R. sanguineus could become established in New Zealand…

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