In the summer months, not only do we spend more time outside, but our pets do too. Pet parents need to pay special attention to their pet’s favorite playgrounds, such as the backyard or the local park – especially those cooler places protected from the sun, such as tall grass and leaf piles.
Fleas and ticks thrive in these spots and are ready to pounce on your pets. In fact, fleas are the most common external parasite found on pets, and ticks can be found in most states in the U.S.
Fleas can jump from animal to animal, so it’s possible for these parasites to latch onto your pet at a boarding kennel, when out for a walk or at a local park. When a flea jumps onto your pet, it will start feeding within five minutes and can live on your animal for almost two months. Once in your home, ticks and fleas can also feed on and pose health risks to your human family members.
Find out what's happening in Farmington-Farmington Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
These small bugs can cause big problems, including Lyme disease, paralysis and anemia. Lyme disease can cause kidney failure in severe cases in dogs. Although Lyme disease is uncommon in cats, it can occur, and some cats can develop kidney conditions or nervous system diseases.
“Once a tick latches onto a dog what happens is they can take a blood meal that is actually potentially transmitting Lyme disease to that pet and as little as 24-48 hours we can see the transmission of Lyme disease in your pet,” said Dr. Dan Markwalder, DVM, owner and partner of Penn Veterinary Hospitals. ”The key there is putting your pet on prevention.”
Find out what's happening in Farmington-Farmington Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), the leading source on parasitic diseases that threaten the health of pets and people, has released its annual 2018 parasite forecasts.
The CAPC also predicts the spread of Lyme disease into non-endemic areas including the Dakotas, Iowa, Missouri, southern Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. A Lyme disease agent is transmitted by ticks and is spreading as the white-tailed deer population grows and migratory birds carry ticks to new areas.
Lyme disease is a high threat again this year and is now seen to be “oozing” into non-endemic areas. Veterinarians living close to Lyme’s endemic boundary line (the Dakotas, Iowa, Missouri, Southern Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina) should be on high alert. Western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, West Virginia and the Appalachian region in Virginia need to prepare for an active year. As for Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA and eastward (including the Delmarva area) and the Boston/Cape Cod area: congratulations, you are expected to see a little relief this year.
“Lyme disease is on the rise and we in people in 2015, 5,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported in humans in the United States,” said Markwalder. “But what is interesting the CDC estimates about 300,000 Americans get Lyme disease each year. Unfortunately, a small fraction is reported. And that same phenomenon we see in dogs and if anything it is underreported. If left untreated Lyme disease can cause serious disease in our pets. For instance it can attack the kidneys and cause kidney failure and in some cases it can be fatal. It is very important to protect your pet year-round.
“First and foremost protect your pet,” said Markwalder. “Consult with your Veterinarian, Make sure all four legged members of your family are on prevention.”
For more information visit protectfromfleaandticks.com
You can protect your pet from fleas and...
You can protect your pet from fleas and ticks by keeping your lawns mowed and checking with your veterinarian for treatments that can guard against tick-borne diseaseOur guest, Dr. Dan Markwalder, DVM, owner and partner of Penn Veterinary Hospitals, will outline the signs and symptoms associated with Lyme disease and flea infestation and offer recommendations to help protect your pet this season.
About Dan Markwalder, DVM
Dr. Dan Markwalder is a founding partner of Companion Animal Hospital in Chicago. Prior to founding this animal hospital in 2014, he established Animal Care Clinic in Algonquin, Illinois in March 1994 to offer his patients an environment for high quality care.
Dr. Markwalder is a graduate of Purdue University, School of Veterinary Medicine. He has a passion for partnering with pet parents to provide the best care available for their pets and attends more than 80 hours of continuing education each year to educate himself on the latest treatments.
He currently lives in the Chicago area with his wife, four sons and mini golden doodle.
Courtesy: Merck Animal Health
Photo Courtesy: Senior Airman Devin Boyer 170712-F-EQ901-0065 from Ramstein Air Base
_________________________
Petsandparasites.org. (2018). [online] Available at: http://www.petsandparasites.or... [Accessed 3 May 2018].