SURVEY OF TICK-BORNE DISEASES IN DOGS INFESTED WITH RHIPICEPHALUS-SANGUINEUS AT A KENNEL IN OKAYAMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN

Serological tests were performed to investigate extent of tick-borne d iseases in dogs infested with Rhipicephalus sanguineus at a kennel in Okayama Prefecture. Three of 22 dogs (13.6%) were positive for Ehrlich ica canis. Two of 19 dogs (10.5%) were positive for Rickettsia japonic a. Three of 22 dogs (13.6%) were positive for Babesia gibsoni. None of these animals were positive for Coxiella burnetii or Hepatozoon canis . A microfilaria was detected in a drop smear of hemolymph from an eng orged female tick, however species was not determined. It is possible that these ticks can transmit pathogens to domestic dogs which are rar e in Japan.