Tick infestations cause direct welfare harm through blood-sucking and transmit diseases including louping ill, babesiosis, and Lyme disease in cattle.
Heavy tick burdens cause direct blood loss, intense irritation, and immune compromise that increases disease susceptibility in cattle. Tick control through targeted acaricide use and pasture management reduces both direct welfare harm from tick feeding and the secondary harm of tick-borne disease. Vaccination against louping ill offers protection in endemic areas.