Pets and Parasite Forecast: 2015 Is The Year Of The Tick

Protect your four-legged best friend with these expert tips from the Companion Animal Parasite Council

From the LifeMinute Team

May 5, 2015

According to the 2015 Parasite Forecast released by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), this year will see a bumper crop of ticks. "2015 is shaping up to be the year of the tick. We're predicting an absolute parasite explosion," says Dr. Cathy Lund of the Providence Rhode Island City Kitty Veterinary Care For Cats. "This also means it's prime time for ticks to transmit diseases to our pets and, in some cases, to our family--a lot of these diseases cross between animals and humans," she adds. Several factors are contributing to this five-alarm tick warning. First, ticks are quickly spreading across the entire country. "It's very concerning that ticks don't stay where they used to stay. Over the last ten years, we've found that tick ranges are expanding. For instance, Lyme disease is a major problem in Rhode Island, but now we are seeing this disease spread both westward and in a more southerly direction, reinforcing that we need to be extra vigilant about using preventive measures. There is no part of the country we can say is safe from parasites," she cautions. Another reason for concern--the evolution of the super tick. "They can carry more than just one disease. We all think about Lyme disease for instance, but ticks could also sometimes be infected with multiple different diseases such as Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis. Think of the disease load a poor pet can experience if bitten by one," warns Dr. Lund. And don't think that this brutal winter has hampered their proliferation. Even record-breaking snowfalls couldn't kill these pesky parasites. "Ticks are tough. They're hardy. The winter snow actually protected them. All they need now is a little springtime sun and out they'll pop. They're hungry and they're ready for some action," says Dr. Lund.

Unfortunately, ticks aren't the only concern for pet owners--heartworms are also spreading across the country. "Heartworms are a perennial problem in the Sun Belt, the Gulf States, but now we are predicting a higher than average year up in the Midwest, in places like Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota," says Dr. Rick Marrinsen of The Veterinary Clinic in Longwood, Florida. "Now there are heartworms in every single state, so even if your area looks like it's not at high risk, remember that prevention is a good bit of insurance," he advises.

The CAPC recommends that every pet be on year-round parasite prevention medicines to ward off heartworms, tick diseases, intestinal parasites, and fleas. Your local veterinarian will be your greatest resource to know exactly which parasites are cropping up in your neighborhood. "Your vet may also recommend annual testing for parasites, which is a very important part of the process in preventing parasites in your pet," says Dr. Marrinsen.

Don't you just love to cuddle with your furry friend? "Parasites can definitely get in the way of that human/animal bond. So go to your vet and get your pet tested," he advises.

For more information, visit the CAPC website, petsandparasites.org, to view their Parasite Forecast maps and learn more about the parasites that put your pets at risk. You can also download the free CAPC iPad app in the iTunes store.

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