• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Upcoming dvm360 Conferences
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
Veterinary Heroes
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Ticks, other parasites encroaching on new territories, CAPC says

April 8, 2014

Year-round prevention continues to be strong recommendation.

In what appears to be a continuing trend, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is warning of expanding tick territories and a higher risk of vector-borne diseases to previously less-susceptible pet populations this year, urging veterinarians nationwide to recommend year-round parasite prevention for pets.

CAPC is currently finalizing its 2014 parasite forecast maps, which will be made available to veterinarians and pet owners at the onset of what is commonly considered prime season for parasites such as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Using a model similar to the one meteorologists use to predict U.S. hurricanes, CAPC develops these forecasts based on factors such as temperature, precipitation and population density.

2014 parasite forecast

Here are some of the nationwide trends the organization is predicting for parasites this year:

> Ticks that spread Lyme disease are expanding their territory from the Northeastern states westward into areas of the Midwest and southward into the Mid-Atlantic states. Lyme disease will continue to be a threat in New England and the Pacific Northwest.

> The risk of ehrlichiosis will be very high from Virginia to Texas and as far west as Texas.

> Heartworm disease is also expected to be a substantial threat, with Texas, the Southeast and Pacific Coast areas from Northern California to Washington state seeing higher than normal levels of infection.

CAPC is launching a satellite media tour, scheduled for the month of April, to talk to pet owners about these issues directly. The campaign, which features Cathy Lund, DVM, president of the CAPC board of directors, and practitioner Craig Prior, BVSc, of Murphy Road Animal Hospital in Nashville, Tenn., will focus on the following points:

> Contrary to popular belief, parasites—particularly ticks—are a year-round problem.

Advertisement

> Ticks and the threat of diseases they carry are no longer a “not in my backyard” issue. There are multiple species of ticks with tremendous geographic reach and greater periods of activity that pose a threat.

> The zoonotic disease threat these parasites pose goes beyond pets, so preventive measures should be applied to the whole family, not just dogs and cats.

> Consult a veterinarian for the best parasite prevention plan for your pet.

Prevalence tools

CAPC also continues to update its online parasite prevalence maps, which indicate the incidence and risk of tick-borne diseases, intestinal parasites and heartworm disease, on a monthly basis. Each interactive map is broken down by species (dog and cat), if applicable, and state, allowing veterinarians to view the number of cases of a specific disease not only on a national level but also in their local area—even down to the county level. This information can then be shared with pet owners to raise awareness about the importance of parasite prevention and control.

CAPC’s ongoing emphasis—and that of most veterinarians—is that year-round preventives for pets are key. The importance of that message, however, can sometimes be hard to convey to clients. “Pet owners like to make their own assessments about what parasites need to be prevented based on what they see,” says Andrew Rollo, DVM, an associate veterinarian at Madison Veterinary Hospital in Madison Heights, Mich. “If they can’t see Ehrlichia or Giardia, then their pet must not have it.” Rollo points out that this is where the parasite prevalence maps and forecasts can help clients understand the risk of what’s actually in their area.

Ernie Ward, DVM, a practitioner at Seaside Animal Care in Calabash, N.C., takes advantage of the free monthly reports CAPC offers veterinarians as well. Ward uses the reports to keep parasite prevention and other parasite issues, such as zoonotic disease threats, top of mind for both his staff and his clients. “If I have a client who’s become lax about his pet’s heartworm and flea prevention, I can show him the maps and reports on a tablet in the exam room and remind him of the risk in our area,” he says.

“Clients like scientific verification,” Ward continues. “They don’t need particulars, but they like seeing that their veterinarian is showing them a report. It’s not just my recommendation—it’s backed by data.”

For more information on the 2014 parasite forecasts and guidelines for parasite prevention and control, visit capcvet.org.

Related Content:

MedicalTechniciansBreaking NewsParasitologyClient Relations & Marketing
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets joins forces with AVMF
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets joins forces with AVMF
5 ways to work smarter, not harder
5 ways to work smarter, not harder
dvm360® is seeking nominations for the 2023 Veterinary Heroes Awards
dvm360® is seeking nominations for the 2023 Veterinary Heroes Awards

Advertisement

Latest News

Comparing treatments for restoring the skin barrier in atopic dogs

Increasing efficiency and productivity in uncertain times

AAVMC awards almost $100,000 in diversity scholarships

News wrap-up: This week’s headlines, plus Maryland Zoo welcomes baby addra gazelle

View More Latest News
Advertisement