ATLANTA, April 4, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- CAPInnoVet, a leading provider of companion animal health products sold through veterinarians, takes seriously its obligation to warn pet owners of a newly recognized menace to dogs. The Asian long-horned tick, first reported in the U.S. in late 2017, is spreading alarmingly, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that it has already appeared in eight states (Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia). These aggressive ticks can cause great stress and tremendous blood loss in dogs, as well as carry many diseases.
What sets the Asian long-horned tick apart is its unique reproducing ability. Unlike common tick species that require both males and females to reproduce, the female can reproduce without mating, laying as many as 2,000 eggs on an unsuspecting pet, and the tick's small size makes it difficult to detect. Even more disturbing, these ticks do not die off in the winter like most other ticks, but, instead, burrow underground. This leads to an increased tick populations, making infestations more difficult to manage.
Dr. Leigh Hofmeister, Virginia veterinarian and author of the blog My Vet and Me, believes in pet owner education and engagement.
"Pet parents must understand the risks Asian long-horned ticks pose to their animals, and take serious precautions to protect their pets," she advises. "A severe infestation of the Asian long-horned tick can cause anemia and death. While many pet owners choose to discontinue monthly flea and tick prevention during the cold winter months, this new species of tick, with its underground burring capability, means that year-round preventative treatment, that both repels and kills ticks, fleas and mosquitos, is imperative."
The infestation by a new species of ticks does not mean that more common ticks should be discounted. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are both on the rise. Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the threat parasites present, reports that Lyme disease in dogs has increased five percent across the U.S. from 2017 to 2018, with some states reporting as much as a seventy-six percent increase. Therefore, it is important to protect both pets and family members.
Dogs, especially, are very susceptible to tick bites and to some tick-borne diseases. To cut down on tick exposure, pet owners should avoid areas with high grass and leaf litter and walk in the center of trails when hiking; however, the best preventive for ticks, especially in light of this new Asian long-horned tick, is for pet owners to use products that not only kill ticks, but repel them, as well, such as Provecta Advanced or the Seresto collar.
"There is an emotional link between people and their pets, and most of us treat them as valued members of the family," Dr. Hofmeister notes. "That's why it is so important that we, as pet owners, understand the risks that ticks impose, especially this new one, the Asian longhorned tick. With warmer temperatures on the way and outside activities increasing, it is vital that we take serious steps to minimize the impact that ticks may have on our families, including our four-legged friends. That's why I urge animal owners to protect their dogs with products that both repel and kill."
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CAPInnoVet is a fast-growing companion animal products company with a diverse portfolio and a robust pipeline. The mission of CAPInnoVet is to be a key provider of differentiated companion animal health products providing better access to high quality and affordable pet medications. For more information, visit http://www.capinnovet.com.
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