Livestock biosecurity guideWorldwide

How should a new livestock animal be checked for ticks?

Inspect the animal systematically at arrival in a contained area, record origin and treatment history, examine preferred attachment sites and seek veterinary identification of unusual ticks.

Reviewed by VuxLore® Knowledge Team For Farmers and animal-health professionals

Short answer

Inspect the animal systematically at arrival in a contained area, record origin and treatment history, examine preferred attachment sites and seek veterinary identification of unusual ticks.

At a glance

A quarantine and monitoring plan should follow local animal-health rules and account for eggs or small stages that one inspection may miss.

Key takeaways

• Check before mixing with the resident group.

• Record every finding and body site.

• Use only authorised treatments with veterinary guidance.

Arrival is the best control point

Use safe restraint, good light and gloves. Examine ears, eyelids, dewlap, axillae, groin, udder or scrotum, tail and between the legs as appropriate to the species.