Pets and Parasites: Diseases transmitted by fleas and ticks and their impact on animal and human health - An Animal Health and Nutrition (AH&N) Forum

Fleas and ticks are the most common ectoparasites (external parasites) of dogs and cats worldwide. In addition to just being a nuisance, fleas are responsible for flea allergy dermatitis and Bartonellosis while ticks are important vectors of diseases that affect humans and animals. The geographic distribution of ticks is changing due to climate change, de-foresting, and the changing living and migrating patterns of deer, birds, and rodents. Ticks are in virtually all parts of the United States, including some urban areas, and many parts of the world. Tick-transmitted diseases include Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, and Hepatozoonosis.

This AH&N forum will discuss Bartonellosis as well as outline the discovery and development of molecules that treat flea and tick infestations on companion animals.

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