Important Feline Parasite Information

As always, consult your veterinarian for professional advice regarding the risk for your pets and precautions you should consider.

Adult fleas feed on your pet and may even feed on you. If you see one, many more may be infesting your home.

Fleas and how they can affect the health of your pet.

Fleas can infest your pet and your home. A flea infestation in your home is difficult to eradicate so prevention is key. Ask your veterinarian about the right flea prevention product for your pet. Adult fleas feed on your pet and may even feed on you. It is likely many more are infesting your home.

Close-up of small brown oval flea eggs on a white surface.

An adult female flea can lay up to 2000 eggs in her lifetime. Prevent a flea infestation by preventing fleas on your pet.

• A flea infestation on your pet may cause flea allergy dermatitis, an intensely itchy and uncomfortable skin condition
• Other pets in your home will also become infested
• Fleas can carry internal parasites, such as tapeworms
• While fleas prefer to bite your pets, you and your family may be affected as well

Ticks can transmit disease to your pet, and some tick species can infest your home. Learn to identify tick species and the diseases they carry.

The tick landscape in Canada is changing

• Ticks are small arachnids, related to spiders, and there are around 850 species in the world
• They like tall grass, where they wait before attaching to a passing host. They attach to the host by inserting their mandibles and feeding tube into the skin.
• Ticks mainly feed on mammals, including pets and humans, and thrive in different conditions which can included wooded areas
• A tick can remain on the host for up to 2 weeks before dropping off¹
• Ticks tend to be more active outside during warmer periods of the year – winter temperatures may kill the eggs but ticks can attach to a host many months of the year, depending on the region and ambient temperature
• The prevalence of ticks is expanding
• Only certain species of ticks (Blacklegged ticks) transmit Lyme disease

Ticks can transmit diseases to both you and your pets. Different species present different risks.

• Ask your veterinarian to show you how to correctly remove ticks¹
• Tick products may reduce the risk of Lyme disease, but none of them will provide 100% protection
• Vaccination against Lyme disease should be considered for at-risk dogs
• Be aware that many tick products are toxic for cats. Make sure to discuss tick products with your veterinarian before using them on your pet.

Tick Prevention

Using the “PAIR” tips can help reduce the risk of tick infestations for your cat

Product: Administer a tick control product and vaccinate against Lyme disease

Avoid: Cut grass and keep pets away from high-risk areas

Inspect: Check pets daily for ticks

Remove: Correctly remove ticks using a tick remover or fine-pointed tweezers

Ask your veterinarian to show you how to adequately remove ticks

Here’s how to use your tick remover

1. Choose the most suitable hook, according to the size of the tick.

2. Engage the hook until the tick is held between the prongs of the remover.

3. Turn the hook until you feel that the tick has detached. Make sure the mouthpieces have been entirely removed.

Useful links

Center for Disease Control:

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/

Information on Lyme disease in Canada:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/lyme-disease.html

Removing and submitting ticks for testing:

https://www.etick.ca/

Tick Encounter Resource Center:

http://www.tickencounter.org

Common tick species in Canada and the health threats they may pose to your and your pets.

Blacklegged tick or deer tick

Ixodes scapularis is commonly known as the deer tick or blacklegged tick.

Ticks are very hardy creatures and I. scapularis is no exception. They will be active even after a moderate to severe frost, as daytime temperatures can warm them enough to keep them actively searching for a host. In the spring, they can be one of the first invertebrates to become active.

Identifying features:

• Long mouth parts
• Non-ornate scutum (black/brown)

Habitat:

• Wooded areas, shrubs and leaf litter
• Adults are more active in the fall, nymphs are most active in the spring

Canine Pathogens transmitted:*

• Lyme disease
• Anaplasmosis
• Ehrlichiosis^†

Human Pathogens transmitted:

• Lyme disease
• Human babesiosis
• Anaplasmosis
• Powassan virus
• Ehrlichiosis^†

^{* Some of these diseases have not been seen in Canada yet.}

^{† Ehrlichia muris}

Lone star

Is your pet protected against the Lone Star Tick? Find out what makes the Lone Star tick different from other tick species.

One female Lone Star tick can lay approximately 5 thousand eggs in their lifetime. Help stop the spread of the Lone Star tick and the many diseases it carries. Talk to your veterinarian today.

Amblyomma americanum, also known as the Lone Star Tick, the Northeastern Water Tick, or the Turkey Tick, is a type of tick indigenous to much of the eastern United States and Mexico, that bites painlessly and commonly goes unnoticed, remaining attached to its host for as long as seven days until it is fully engorged with blood.

It lives in wooded areas, particularly in second-growth forests with thick underbrush, where white-tailed deer (the primary host of mature ticks) reside. Lone star ticks can also be found in ecotonal areas (transition zones between different biomes) such as those between forest and grassland ecosystems. The lone star tick utilizes thick underbrush or high grass to attach to its host by way of questing.

Identifying features:

• Long mouth parts
• Ornate scutum
• Females - distinctive white spot
• Males - white along outer edges

Habitat:

• Woodlands with thick undergrowth
• Aggressive hunters and feeders
• Dispersal into Canada due to migratory birds and wildlife

Canine pathogens transmitted:*

• Ehrlichiosis (E. ewingii and E. chaffeensis)
• Rickettsiosis

Human pathogens transmitted:

• Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI)
• Human monocytic ehrlichiosis
• Tularemia (also a feline pathogen)

Other disease:

• Alpha-gal allergy: red meat allergy (in humans)
• Cytauxzoonosis in cats

^{* Some of these diseases have not been seen in Canada yet.}

^{Engorged Lone Star tick photo courtesy of James Gathany.}

American dog tick

Dermacentor variabilis, also known as the American dog tick or wood tick, is one of the most well-known hard ticks.

The American dog tick is commonly found along trails and roads and loves grassy areas, making a backyard a very suitable environment for this tick. Keeping grass cut short creates a low humidity environment which is undesirable for these ticks.

Adult ticks can overwinter in soil and can survive without a blood meal for 2 years.

Diseases are spread when it sucks blood from the host, which could take several days for the host to experience some symptoms.

Identifying features:

• Short mouth parts
• Ornate scutum

Habitat:

• Likes urban areas, roadsides, trails and backyards

Canine Pathogens transmitted:^*

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Tularemia
• Canine tick paralysis

Human Pathogens transmitted:

• Rocky Mountain Spotted fever
• Tularemia

Feline Pathogens transmitted:

• Cytauxzoonosis
• Tularemia

Other diseases:

• Tick paralysis

Brown dog tick

The Brown Dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus), commonly called kennel tick, or pan-tropical dog tick, is a species of tick which is found worldwide, but more commonly in warmer climates. This species is unusual among ticks in that its entire life cycle can be completed indoors. Typically, a few ticks are brought into the house or kennel, often on a dog which has been away from home. The early stages of the infestation, when only a few individuals are present, are often missed completely. The first indication the dog owner has that there is a problem is when they start noticing ticks crawling up the walls or curtains! Rhipicephalus sanguineus will feed on a wide variety of mammals, but dogs are the preferred host.

Identifying features:

• Hexagonal basis capituli is the most identifiable characteristic
• Short mouth parts
• Non-ornate scutum

Habitat:

• One host tick that prefers dogs
• Homes, dog kennels and animal pens
• Worldwide distribution, prefers warmer climate

Canine Pathogens transmitted:*

• Ehrlichiosis
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Canine babesiosis
• Hepatozoonosis

Human Pathogens transmitted:

• Q fever
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Gulf coast tick

Amblyomma maculatum is a species of tick in the genus Amblyomma. Larvae and nymphs feed on birds and small rodents, while adult ticks feed on deer and other wildlife. Adult ticks have been associated with transmission of R. parkeri to humans.

Identifying features:

• Long mouth parts
• Ornate scutum

Habitat:

• Prefers tall grass and coastal uplands
• Birds and mammals are important hosts, including white tailed deer

Canine Pathogens transmitted:^*

• American canine hepatozoonosis
• Rickettsiosis

Human Pathogens transmitted:

• Rickettsiosis

Cats and kittens can be the hosts to several species of mites, learn more about the top three.

Ear mites

Ear mites are the most common type of mite found in cats. They are small parasites (called Otodectes cynotis) that can infest the ear canals and surrounding skin of cats, causing severe itching. Cats that are infected with ear mites will typically scratch at their ears excessively and shake their heads. These mites cannot be transmitted to people, but are contagious to other cats as well as dogs. Young cats are the most vulnerable to getting ear mites. Be sure you tell your veterinarian about other pets in the household, as they may need to be treated at the same time.

Notoedric mange

Notoedres cati is often referred to as Feline scabies. While not common, infections usually affect the head and especially the ears; these infections are intensely itchy. Hair loss and sore skin are apparent signs of the disease. Later the fur can become covered with greyish scales and crusts. This is a treatable medical condition, but is highly contagious for other animals and humans. Mites can be collected from the skin and identified in the veterinarian’s office to confirm an infection.

Cheyletiella

Commonly known as “walking dandruff”, they are tiny mites that look like flakes of white dandruff that move in the hair. They can also infect dogs and people. The mites generally cause moderate skin irritation. They can be prevented and treated with medication that would be recommended by your veterinarian. Make sure you call your veterinarian if your cat has any sort of itchy skin condition.

Lice

Lice are small insects that feed by chewing on the skin of the cat. Left untreated, they can grow to be an infestation on the cat’s body. Cat lice are not as common as cat fleas. The lice cause itching and scratching, and can make pets crazy with all the crawling and biting. The good news is that lice seldom cause long-lasting problems and can be treated safely. Cat lice cannot be transmitted to humans and humans cannot transmit their lice to cats.

Heartworm disease is a potentially life-threatening condition for both cats and dogs

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition

• Parasitic worms live in the heart and blood vessels of the lungs of infected animals including untreated pets and wild canids such as foxes, coyotes and wolves
• Mosquitoes ingest larvae from the blood of infected animals
• The larvae undergo a maturation process within the body of the mosquito
• Infective larvae then migrate into the dog or the cat through the mosquito bite wound on the skin
• Larvae begin maturing in the tissues of the dog or cat and then migrate to
• the pulmonary vessels and the heart where they then develop into adult heartworms. This process takes about 6-9 months.
• Heartworm disease in the cat is very different from the disease seen in the dog.
• Many cats react severely to heartworm larvae as they move through the body. If your cat develops a heartworm infection, it can cause severe respiratory disease and can be deadly.
• Cats living in endemic areas have the same level of risks as dogs, however; diagnosis is complex in cats. Prevention is key.

Clinical signs may include

• Nothing, often initially no signs are seen
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Abnormal heart and lung sounds
• Exercise intolerance

Download a pdf about the importance of heartworm testing for you pet.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in garden soil and raw meat. Cats can get toxoplasma infection by killing and eating prey infected by the parasite. For cats that are not already immune, the disease may cause mild diarrhea and a loss of appetite, but most commonly there are no obvious signs of infection. In rare situations, the infection can affect the lungs, liver and nervous system. Humans can be at risk of toxoplasmosis by eating raw or undercooked meat, or being exposed to garden soil or sandboxes where infected cats may have defecated. Pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems should also take proper hygienic precautions to protect themselves against exposure to the disease. To try to prevent exposure to toxoplasmosis, make sure that you thoroughly cook meat, clean vegetables from the garden, and handle soil or litter boxes with gloves, carefully washing your hands after.

Gastrointestinal parasites are a common problem in cats and dogs, particularly when they are young

Roundworm

Roundworms and hookworms are common internal parasites. These parasites live within the gastrointestinal tract of animals and can cause diarrhea, gas, anemia, poor coat quality, loss of body condition, etc. Roundworms are very common in kittens and are usually acquired from the mother, but can also be transmitted from eating mice and cockroaches. Even contact with potting soil can infect cats with roundworms. Deworming treatments are given multiple times as a kitten and will continue throughout the cat’s life. It is important to have your veterinarian perform fecal exams routinely, whether your cat goes outside or stays indoors.
Tapeworms are another type of gastrointestinal parasite. Tapeworms can also cause diarrhea and weight loss/poor body condition. Cats can get tapeworms in two main ways. First, fleas can carry and spread tapeworms to the animals when the infected cat ingests fleas through grooming. Second, tapeworms can be carried and spread by rodents, or by eating raw meat. Cats that hunt and eat these animals can pick up tapeworms. Owners tend to discover tapeworms when they spot worm segments (“rice particles”) around their pet’s anus.

• Gastrointestinal parasites are a common problem in cats, particularly when they are young

They can become infected:

• During pregnancy in their mother’s womb
• By eating rodents or coming into contact with feces of infected animals
• Through their mother’s milk
• By ingesting microscopic infectious eggs from the environment

Hookworm

Clinical signs may include:

• Vomiting
• Pot belly
• Diarrhea
• Dull hair coat
• Lack of energy
• Poor growth or weight loss

YOUR VETERINARIAN CAN RECOMMEND A PRODUCT THAT IS SAFE FOR USE IN KITTENS