lg18 Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) Hello,I am interested in where ticks exist (or not), i.e. their environmental limits, and have studied them up hills in the Cairngorms and how far north or inland they are in Norway. But has anyone ever found a sheep tick anywhere in Shetland or Orkney, maybe on a sheep, pony, dog or yourself? And if so, whereabouts exactly? I know there are seabird ticks (Ixodes uriae) around the cliffs as I had one on me on Noss last summer, but I'm particularly interested in sheep ticks (Ixodes ricinus). I have a feeling there might be ticks on Orkney, although I'm not sure where (if anyone knows, please let me know!), but I've never heard of any in Shetland - have you? (or any incidences of tick-borne disease in sheep such as louping ill virus or tick-borne fever)? Any info would be brilliant,thanks very much,Lucy Edited March 3, 2015 by lg18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 yes. we recieved a caddy 3 years ago. started developing abscess after 2 vists to vet we spotted tick. it was to late for poor lamb. it came down with Tick Pyemia poor creature suffered and was putdown. it was from northmavine. so definitely there. cant see why its not common on all rough ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuckleJoannie Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 According to this local vet Vidlin seems to be the main area you find them https://www.facebook.com/dr.miriam.krause/posts/377095735728882 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crofter Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Never seen a tick on a sheep, but my dog got one after a visit to Yell. There are plenty of sheep keds in the hills, but they have got a different latin name I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 ugly horrible creatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lg18 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Many many thanks everyone, that is incredibly useful (and I'm really sorry to hear about your poor caddy, Paulb - ticks are disgusting - I am only studying them by mistake and wish I wasn't!). Please keep records/places/ideas coming in. Oh, and if anyone does see a tick, I wonder if you could possibly keep it (just in a little bag/cling film/tiny pot/anything in the freezer) and I'll come and pick it up some time. (need positive species identification, as there are several species of tick possible). THANK YOU!Lucy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandcars Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 we had loads on the westside last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J428 TGS Posted March 6, 2015 Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 come up at clipping time o year an youll get pleanty o da perrie buggers oot o da hill sheep an few few fae some hame about Isra42921 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lg18 Posted March 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 Thanks v much for the info about the Westside, ShetlandCars - where exactly do you get most of the ticks, and would you mind if I came along some time in July with my little white blanket to try to catch some? (I drag it on the ground and the ticks (hopefully) cling on). (I am near Skeld). Thanks also, TGS - are your sheep on the westside too (and whereabouts)? If you find any ticks, do shove one or 2 in the freezer for me if you have the time/energy/inclination! My email address is lucyDOTgilbertAThutton.ac.uk (as you may not want to post online where you stay!). I'm really grateful for all your input,Lucy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandcars Posted March 9, 2015 Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 Thanks v much for the info about the Westside, ShetlandCars - where exactly do you get most of the ticks, and would you mind if I came along some time in July with my little white blanket to try to catch some? (I drag it on the ground and the ticks (hopefully) cling on). (I am near Skeld). it was may time last year i seem to think and we had a lot on lambs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J428 TGS Posted March 10, 2015 Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 hi LucyThankfully my sheep are tick (ked) free, im in da south mainland, I do a bit o shearing around the place so find a few Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shingies pete Posted March 10, 2015 Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 Hi Lucy, there seems to be some confusion as to ticks (ixodes ricinus) and sheep keds(melophagus ovinus) they are two seperate species.I have often seen keds in shetland but never ticks. I have seen a dog picking up a lot of ticks on its coat after running through deep heather and bracken, near Rackwick on Hoy, Orkney. Good luck with your search,cheers,Peter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted March 10, 2015 Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 our was a tick. the infection is only passed on via ticks. its really not something i ever want to try to treat again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lg18 Posted March 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 (edited) Ah, thanks for realising that Peter, and thanks for the Hoy tip. Ticks and keds are rather similar, both equally revolting and easy to confuse. Ticks (Ixodes ricinus) are smooth and shiny and tear-drop shaped and are usually firmly attached to the sheep/dog, during which time they balloon up to a big grey blob (from the original flat, 2-tone orange and black). Keds have a longer more segmented brown body (they have a waist), thicker legs (and the legs are hairy) - they are actually a type of louse fly and not related to ticks at all. cheers,Lucy Edited March 10, 2015 by lg18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandcars Posted March 10, 2015 Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 Hi Lucy, there seems to be some confusion as to ticks (ixodes ricinus) and sheep keds(melophagus ovinus) they are two seperate species.I have often seen keds in shetland but never ticks. I have seen a dog picking up a lot of ticks on its coat after running through deep heather and bracken, near Rackwick on Hoy, Orkney. Good luck with your search,cheers,Peter.Ah yea, id say ours were Keds, good to know the difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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