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Context This question explores the relationship between carnivores, Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), ticks, and the dietary habits of herbivores. AGS is a food allergy triggered by a bite from certain tick species, leading to reactions to mammalian meat. The question specifically focuses on whether animals belonging to the Order Carnivora are susceptible to this allergy. Furthermore, it considers if the alpha-gal molecule itself, found in many herbivores, plays a role in making them obligate herbivores, meaning their diet is restricted primarily to plants. Simple Answer AGS is a meat allergy caused by tick bites. Ticks can transfer alpha-gal, a sugar molecule, into your blood. Some people and animals become allergic to alpha-gal after a tick bite. It's not proven that alpha-gal makes herbivores obligate herbivores. More research is needed to fully understand these connections. Detailed Answer Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS), also known as alpha-gal allergy or red meat allergy, is a relatively re...

Context Considering how widespread, annoying, and dangerous ticks are, I'd like to know why we haven't developed vaccines against them. An older thread here mentioned a potential prophylatic drug against Lyme, but what I have in mind are ticks in general, not just one species. I would have thought at least the military would be interested in this sort of thing. Simple Answer Vaccines work by teaching your body to recognize and fight off specific diseases. Ticks don't cause diseases, they just spread them. We can't make a vaccine against something that isn't causing the problem itself. It's like trying to make a vaccine against a mosquito bite. The diseases ticks spread are the real problem, so vaccines are focused on those diseases. There are already vaccines for some of the diseases ticks carry, like Lyme disease. Research is ongoing to develop vaccines against other tick-borne illnesses, but it's a complex and challenging process. Detailed Answer The reaso...