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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) - Spring and summer are often thought of as peak tick seasons, but fall is actually when adult ticks are most active. Outdoor enthusiasts, hunters and pet owners who spend time outdoors with their dogs in the cool fall weather need to stay vigilant to ticks and tick-borne diseases until temperatures remain below freezing.
This fall, new areas of the country will experience surges in tick activity as a result of climactic changes, wildlife populations and conservation efforts. Veterinarians across the country are citing an increase in tick-borne infections in recent years, according to Michael Dryden, DVM, a Kansas State University professor of veterinary parasitology.
Researchers attribute tick migrations to warmer temperatures, increasing white-tailed deer populations, reforestation and urban sprawl. Advancements in diagnostic screening have allowed veterinarians to easily track the rise in canine exposure to tick-borne infections around the country. Data compiled by the veterinary industry shows that dogs in 48 states already have tested positive this year for Lyme disease exposure.
“Whatever you considered about ticks, their location and tick-transmitted diseases five years ago, it is going to be different today and continue to be different in five years based on these factors,” says Dryden. “Reforestation, changes in agricultural practices and wildlife conservation efforts have contributed to an explosive growth in deer populations -- a key factor in the expansion of several tick species’ habitats.”
More Ticks, More Disease
As tick populations continue to migrate, new diseases are introduced and ticks become more likely to carry and transmit multiple diseases. Matt Eberts, DVM, who practices in the tick-endemic area of Brainerd, Minn., is seeing a rise in coinfections, when dogs are infected with more than one tick-borne disease.
“Medical doctors and veterinarians are finding that coinfections in both humans and pets are making treatment for tick-borne diseases more difficult,” says Eberts. “With more ticks carrying more diseases, screening your pet becomes all the more important.”
Elimination and Prevention
Tick-borne disease incidence also is rising because people and their pets are spending more time outside, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dogs are also a link between ticks and their human family members because dogs often play in wooded areas, increasing their exposure to ticks and the chances they’ll carry the ticks into the home environment.
“As family pets, dogs have followed a trend in moving from the backyard to the bedroom in recent years,” explains Eberts. “Dogs and their owners share more of the same space in the home, creating opportunities for ticks to move from pet to owner.”
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends year-round heartworm, flea and tick preventatives for the life of your dog, for all areas of the country. Eberts recommends tick checks each time your pet comes in from the outdoors, as well as yearly screening. Dryden adds that pet owners can help protect their families and pets by making sure their homes aren’t attractive to wildlife or ticks. Reducing animal harborage, such as keeping wood piles away from the house, can prevent a tick host, like a rodent, from being close to your home.
Dog Owner Tips
Dog owners can help protect their pets from tick-borne illnesses by taking these simple steps:
* Talking with their veterinarians about tick-borne diseases in their area;
* Becoming aware of the common signs of tick-borne diseases;
* Asking their veterinarians to make screening for tick-borne diseases routine during annual exams;
* Checking their dogs’ coats daily for ticks and removing them promptly; and
* Using a tick-prevention medication.
Pet owners can learn more about tick-borne diseases and their dogs’ risks at www.dogsandticks.com.
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