Melissa Beall, DVM, PhD, reinforces that dogs don’t always show clinical signs of tick exposure. Therefore, annual screening is critical to discovery of tick-borne diseases. Pet-side test kits and research reinforce her assertions.
Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 18, 2018, Link. The study, found at idexx.com/tickrisk, showed two key findings:
- dogs with Ehrlichia antibodies in canis-endemic areas have a 300 percent increased risk of kidney disease; and
- dogs with burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease) antibodies in Lyme-endemic areas have a 43 percent increased risk of kidney disease.
Also see: CAPC forecasts problematic heartworm, Lyme in 2018, Veterinary Practice News, April 19, 2018, Link.
CAPC reported there will be an increase in prevalence of heartworm and Lyme disease. Heartworm is predicted to continue its aggressive spread across the U.S., with the growth of Lyme disease focused east of the Rockies.
INSIGHTS: The discussion of ticks, fleas, heartworm and mosquitoes must continue. Don’t tire of the continuing dialogue that includes words like compliance and prevention. But prevalence data in new regions forces us to rethink the old excuses. It is time to throw away, “I don’t see it in this area.”