July Article

The risk of exposure of our pets to the pathogens that cause heartworm disease, Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis continues to increase throughout the United States as ticks and mosquitoes continue to expand their ranges. Recently released by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is their annual Pet Parasite Forecast for 2021. Areas of concern are recorded and recommendations are made on what more can be done to lower the risk of exposure of pets to vectors of disease.

These CAPC forecasts are developed by parasitologists and statisticians to identify regions of the country that may experience higher parasite risks in the months ahead. Numerous factors are analyzed, including the number of positive tests for diseases and the influence of weather patterns, vegetation, and human population density.

The prevalence of heartworms is expected to be much higher than in previous years. Heartworm infections are more likely to impact the health of increasing number of dogs. Particularly in the Great Lakes region, including Indiana, pet owners are encouraged to have a discussion with their veterinarian about the increasing risk of heartworm infection. Here in Ripley County we see a heartworm infected dog on average of one per month. One in every 100 dogs tested in this county and Dearborn will be positive. We test approximately 75-100 canine patients per month.

The geographic distribution of Lyme disease continues to expand. High risk hot spots are predicted in southern Michigan and Ohio. CAPC recommends veterinarians increase their recommendations for aggressive tick control for their patients. So far this year there have been 163 Lyme positive tests reported in Ripley and Dearborn counties. At our clinic in 2020 we had 120 positive tests. There is a vaccine for Lyme in dogs in addition to the tick prevention recommended.

Other tick diseases we see are ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis. They are not as prevalent as Lyme but can cause serious illness. We have seen several dogs under 10 pounds test positive for a tick disease. Apparently even the small house pets are not safe from the ticks. I have heard many clients say that the ticks are particularly bad this year. I couldn't agree with them more. I walk my dog Max daily for his exercise and mine, and I don't think I have ever removed as many ticks off my body as this year.

Check yourself and your family members for ticks daily to prevent human exposure to tick disease. Put your pet on flea, tick and heartworm prevention products year round. Be vigilant about these parasites. Their numbers are increasing and according to the CAPC experts, 2021 will be worse than 2020.

Submitted by,
Harley Robinson, DVM
Laughery Valley Veterinary Hospital