Tick Infestation

Abstract

Tick infestations in camels have been frequently recognized in many countries and species of several tick genera have been reported, e.g., Hyalomma, Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, Ixodes, Argas, Otobius, and Ornithodoros. Infestation is reported to be generally high in summer and spring and occurs in animals throughout the year. Female camels may harbor more ticks than males and grey skins may be more attractive to the ticks. Except for Hyalomma dromedarii, which predominantly attaches in the nostrils of the camel, all other tick species attach themselves at different sites. The embedded ticks cause direct injury at the site of attachment and lyse of the skin predisposing it to secondary bacterial infection and abscess formation. The development of lesions could be partly attributed to secretions in tick saliva, i.e., anti-inflammatory, antihemostatic, and immunosuppressive factors. Sores may occur in the mucocutaneous junctions of the lips, nose, and vulva and predispose to myiasis. Ticks may secrete neurotoxins in saliva, and this may cause paralysis in heavily infested animals. Clinical signs include incoordination of movement, unsteady gait, and recumbency ending in death or recovery following tick removal.