PARASITES FORECASTS ARE IN: U.S. to see increase prevalence of heartworm and tick-related diseases in 2016

0
1242

PROTECT YOUR PET — NOW IS THE TIME!
The Nation’s Leading Parasite Experts Show Us How

There are more than 175 million dogs and cats in the United States. However, only 60 percent of dogs are protected for parasite transmitted diseases like Lyme and heartworm disease. For cats, it’s fewer than four in 10.
Millions of these pets are infected each year by parasites like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Even worse, some of these parasites carry diseases that can be transmitted to YOU. NOW is the time to protect your pets and family!
Much like the National Weather Service can forecast turbulent weather, the Companion Animal Parasite Council projects how bad the parasite season will be.
Based on a model similar to that used to predict U.S. hurricanes, the annual Companion Animal Parasite Council Forecasts predicts activity based on factors like temperature, precipitation and population density. For 2016, Companion Animal Parasite Council predicts an active heartworm and Lyme year for the United States as a whole.
· Lyme disease is expected to be higher than normal prevalence is forecasted, even in those areas Lyme disease has recently invaded – Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky. 


· Anaplasmosis, which is spread by three species of ticks is forecasted to be an average year for the United States as a whole.

· The risk of Ehrlichiosis, which is spread by ticks like the American Dog Tick, is forecast to be above normal prevalence in western Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, east of the Mississippi River and southern California. 


· The threat of heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is expected to be above average activity nationwide. 


To keep pets and people safe from ticks and other parasites, the Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends:
· Providing year-round protection against parasite-transmitted diseases for your pets.

· Scheduling regular exams with your veterinarian, which could be more than just once a year.

· Checking the disease threat in your area by signing up for the Companion Animal Parasite Council updates at http://www.petsandparasites.org.

· Download the free CAPC app, available at the iTunes App Store https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/parasite-map/id797464506?mt=8.

Karen Fling, DVM; East Lake Veterinary Hospital, Dallas, TX
As owner of East Lake Veterinary Hospital in Dallas for over 20 years, Dr. Fling has incorporated all aspects of her philosophy in its design: pets are members of the family. They should have the best medical care and individualized treatment during their visit. Plush lodging areas include dog bedrooms with small televisions and cat condos with a view to outdoor birdfeeders. Dr. Fling graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the CAPC board of directors and runs a non-profit pet adoption program, East Lake Pet Orphanage.

Rick Marrinson, DVM; Longwood Veterinary Clinic, Longwood, Fla.
Dr. Marrinson is the owner and medical director of Longwood Veterinary Clinic, a five-doctor practice located in central Florida. Throughout his career, he has worked extensively in emergency medicine with special interests in soft tissue surgery and endocrinology. A native of Oklahoma, Dr. Marrinson graduated from Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a member of the CAPC board of directors and serves in a volunteer leadership position with the Veterinary Emergency Clinics of Central Florida.

Produced: The Companion Animal Parasite Council
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.capcvet.org) is an independent not-for-profit foundation comprised of parasitologists, veterinarians, medical, public health and other professionals that provides information for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people. Formed in 2002, the CAPC works to help veterinary professionals and pet owners develop the best practices in parasite management that protect pets from parasitic infections and reduce the risk of zoonotic parasite transmission.