Ticks don’t take the summer off: how to protect your furry friends year-round

“My dog never leaves the yard.”

“We live in the city.”

“My dog only goes outside for a few minutes.”

According to Dr. Abby Hammond of McAfee Animal Hospital, those are among the most common reasons pet owners believe their dogs and cats are unlikely to encounter ticks. Unfortunately, they’re also some of the biggest misconceptions veterinarians hear.

“Ticks don’t understand boundary lines, fencing, or whether a dog lives in the country or the city,” Hammond said. “One second is all you need for a tick to crawl onto your pet and attach.”

Ticks can be carried through neighborhoods by wildlife, picked up during a quick walk through a park, and even brought indoors on clothing. They can also remain active all year, rather than just during the summer months.

“There is no defined ‘time period’ for tick season,” Hammond said. “Ticks can remain vigilant in both warm and freezing temperatures. It is recommended that dogs and cats remain on prevention year-round, 365 days per year.”

That reality is especially important in Northwest Indiana, where tick-borne diseases continue to be a growing concern. According to the Indiana Department of Health, Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the Region. In Porter County, 32 of 150 adult ticks tested positive for the disease, while surrounding counties have reported infection rates approaching 50%.

While many pet owners think of ticks as little more than a nuisance, the diseases they carry can have serious consequences. Depending on the infection, symptoms may include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, gastrointestinal issues, neurological symptoms and generalized pain. Some dogs may also develop intermittent or shifting leg lameness, one of the most common signs associated with Lyme disease.

What makes these illnesses particularly concerning is that symptoms are often vague and easy to overlook. In many cases, infected pets may simply seem tired, uncomfortable or less interested in food. Some animals show no symptoms at all.

“Only approximately 5% to 10% of infected dogs develop clinical signs,” Hammond said. “Most infected dogs are asymptomatic.”

When symptoms do appear, they may not develop until weeks or even months after a tick bite. If left untreated, certain tick-borne diseases can lead to serious complications, including kidney failure, blood-clotting abnormalities and joint inflammation.

The good news is that veterinarians say tick-borne diseases are among the most preventable health threats pets face.

“Prevention is key,” Hammond said. “Being compliant and responsible with year-round prevention is essential to minimize the risk of acquiring a tick-borne disease.”

Because ticks can remain active year-round, veterinarians recommend keeping both dogs and cats on prevention 365 days a year. For dogs at increased risk of exposure, an annual Lyme vaccine is also available as an additional layer of protection.

Another common misconception is that a Lyme vaccine eliminates the need for flea and tick prevention. While the vaccine is highly effective against Lyme disease, it does not protect pets from other illnesses spread by ticks, nor does it prevent the irritation and discomfort associated with tick bites themselves.

Routine wellness visits also play an important role in protecting pets. At McAfee Animal Hospital, veterinarians commonly use a 4Dx SNAP test, which screens for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis using a small blood sample. Results are typically available in about 10 minutes.

If a pet tests positive, additional testing can help determine whether an active infection is present. Most tick-borne diseases are treated with a month-long course of doxycycline, and many pets begin responding within just a few days when treatment starts early.

“If caught early, most patients have a fair to good prognosis,” Hammond said.

As families spend more time outdoors this year, Hammond encourages pet owners to take a proactive approach. Checking pets for ticks, maintaining veterinarian-recommended preventatives and scheduling annual wellness screenings can dramatically reduce the risk of serious illness.

“As veterinary professionals, we want to ensure your pet has a long, abundant and joyful life free from disease and pain,” Hammond said. “Being proactive and preventing or minimizing the risk of acquiring a tick-borne disease is much more feasible than rushing against time to treat one.”

For more information or to schedule a visit, go to mcafeeah.com.