Some experts fear climate change is expanding the distribution of diseases that can sicken or even kill dogs, putting more of them at risk for diseases their owners have never had to deal with, according to Elizabeth Weise’s report.
The biggest spread in heartworm disease in the United States certainly followed the 2005 national distribution of dogs due to Hurricane Katrina.” Warren Hess, DVM, AVMA
Source: USA Today, June 19, 2019. Link.
Veterinarians and biologists who study diseases spread by insects observed that it’s not just where, but when the diseases strike that’s changing. The times of year when dogs are at risk are changing in some areas where summers are becoming too hot to support the insects or the diseases they carry. That doesn’t stop the spread.
INSIGHTS: Whether we have climate change or are experiencing transformational weather patterns matters little. Whatever the affect, the reality is that new diseases are showing up where we haven’t traditionally seen them. This article is a must-read for all animal health pros.