Dear Dr. John,
We own a dog and two cats and live in a suburban area with woods out back, and our animals can free roam there. It seems that every year we hear more and more about ticks and the risks they pose to our pets and to us. Is this year positioned to be a very bad year and what should that mean for us? We have always used tick control on our dog for about 8-9 months of the year. This year we did not see much snow, so do we need to rethink that? While we have never worried about tick control with the cats, should we? Do cats get Lyme Disease? W.W.
Dear W.W.,
Ticks are vectors that do carry a lot of different pathogens to many species, including dogs, cats, and humans. Even though tick levels of risk do vary with seasons, temperatures, and other environmental cues, ticks are actually a risk throughout the year and research is showing that tick populations are continuing to grow. As such, it is fair to speculate that this might be a bad year for ticks. Cats are not typically susceptible to Lyme Disease, but ticks carry other problems to cats such as hemobartonella, ehrlichia, and more, some of which can be severe and even fatal. Local wildlife species that carry ticks include deer, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, wild turkeys, and so many others.
They probably inhabit the woods behind your home and therefore your pets are at risk. Remember that once embedded and feeding on the host or your pet, it takes a while for Lyme Disease transmission and the literature suggest a feeding time of 36 hours. Tick preventatives and quick removal of ticks is the best way to avoid problems.
As a result of climate trends and more, it is advisable for you to consider using tick preventatives all year round and I would also suggest that you consider protecting your cats as well as your dog. This recommendation is supported by most leading animal health authorities and organizations as well. I would contact your veterinarian about different preventative choices especially as the weather is warming up and ticks will become even more active.
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He can be reached at 781-899-9994.
