Ticks are a tiny menace in Pennsylvania
As the weather warms up, residents want to spend more quality time outdoors with their pets. Unfortunately, that also means an increased risk of tick bites.
Many news outlets across the country have reported the mild winter has led to a growth in the tick population and ticks being active earlier. That means the summer months could include an increase in tick bites as well.
Jennifer Kennedy, a veterinarian at Butler Veterinary Associates in Center Township, confirmed that cases of Lyme disease have risen over the past few years, and they are now recommending annual tests for pets, instead of once every two years.
Kennedy stopped short of saying the increase in cases was only due to the increase in testing, though, and instead said she’s been seeing many more dogs with symptoms of tick-borne diseases coming in on emergency calls.
Luckily for pets, preventive measures are available. Kennedy along with Michele Walsh, a customer care specialist at Deer Creek Animal Hospital in Summit Township, recommended yearlong tick prevention measures.
Both topical and oral medications will prevent ticks from attaching, and a tick must be attached for at least a day to transmit Lyme disease to its host.
A vaccine also is available for Lyme disease, which is the most common tick-borne disease. Pets should receive a Lyme disease vaccine annually, with the first vaccine also requiring a booster about a month after the initial shot.
“No vaccine is 100%,” said Kennedy. “Hopefully, that will decrease the severity or the possibility of even getting Lyme disease.”
When searching for tick bites, both Kennedy and Walsh said they typically find the bites on the head and neck, although a bite can occur anywhere on an animal’s body.
Even though it may take time for Lyme disease to transmit in a dog, it’s still important to check for ticks, as other diseases also can be transmitted.
Anaplasmosis is one disease that Walsh says they’ve seen go from just a few cases a year to a regular occurrence.
Anaplasmosis can cause lameness, joint pain, fever, lethargy and a decreased appetite in dogs, but if left untreated, serious issues like respiratory failure, bleeding issues and organ problems could arise.
“We’re thinking that (ticks) attach within two hours and the disease spreads faster than medicine kills the ticks,” said Walsh, but she reiterated that the theory has not been proven.
Those who notice a change in their dog’s personality, specifically if they seem to be more sluggish, should call their veterinarian, Walsh said.
She also recommended dogs be seen by their veterinarian six months after a tick is removed, regardless of whether they display symptoms of a tick-borne disease.
