166 Tick knowledge of Pennsylvania horse owners is related to disease diagnosis, concern, and tick-check frequency

Abstract

There is limited data on the occurrence of ticks on horses in Pennsylvania (PA). Additionally, current knowledge of PA horse caretakers on tick-borne diseases (TBDs), tick identification, and tick management practices has not been assessed. The objectives of this study were to determine tick knowledge, concern, and management among PA equine caretakers. An online survey was distributed via e-mail lists, social media, and online advertising. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA tests were used to analyze data. The percentages shown represent the number of respondents who answered that question. The survey received 894 responses (539 completed) from PA equine owners and caretakers. The largest proportion of respondents cared for 3–5 horses (31%), followed by 2 horses (27%). Veterinarian-confirmed diagnosis rates of 2 TBDs, Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, were 38 and 22%, respectively. Most respondents (39%) were moderately confident in recognizing Lyme disease, while most (44%) were not confident at all in recognizing anaplasmosis. Most respondents (69%) were either extremely or very concerned about their horses contracting any TBDs. Horse caretakers (88%) were comfortable performing tick checks and most performed weekly full-body tick checks (40.6%) and daily partial tick checks (47%). A majority (67%) found 1–2 ticks on their horse each timethey checked, with the jaw, throatlatch, and chest being the most common areas ticks were found on horses. The primary method of tick control was on-animal repellants (60%), followed by pasture/landscape management (23%). Ten knowledge-based questions were asked, and the mean correct score was 3.97 ± 2.18. Respondents with horses that had a veterinarian-confirmed Lyme disease diagnosis had a higher knowledge score (4.93 ± 1.69) than those with probable or no Lyme disease diagnosed horses (4.21 ± 1.60 and 4.34 ± 1.65, respectively; P < 0.001). Respondents that were extremely concerned about TBDs had higher knowledge scores (4.8 ± 1.67) than those that were moderately, slightly, or not concerned (4.26 ± 1.65, 3.95 ± 1.59, 3.50 ± 1.68, respectively; P < 0.001). Respondents that performed full-body tick checks daily or weekly scored higher (4.75 ± 1.61, 4.79 ± 1.60, respectively) than those who performed them when they remembered or never conducted tick checks (4.19 ± 1.81, 3.94 ± 1.87; P < 0.001). As TBD concern level and rate of Lyme diagnosis increased, so did knowledge score of respondents. With most PA horse owners finding ticks every time they checked their horses, Extension educators should focus on teaching about TBDs and managing ticks on their horses and farms.