Winter should not be taken lightly by ticks
For people who live with dogs, ticks are a major hidden danger to the health of their dogs. In general, tick activity becomes active from spring to autumn, and many owners relax their guard slightly in winter.
However, there are also some species of ticks that are also active in winter, and there are also reports that ticks can be active at any time of the year due to the effects of climate change.
This time, a research team from the Institute of Parasitology at the Center for Infectious Diseases Medicine at the Veterinary University of Hannover in Germany published the results of the results of the results of mites attached to pets. Although it is a little different from the situation in Japan, it is better to let us know the results of this survey.
Tick ecology in Europe is changing
Tick ecology in Europe has changed dramatically over the past few decades. The distribution of ticks throughout Europe has increased, and their activity patterns have changed, with a tendency to move throughout the year.
Some species of ticks are expanding their range to latitudes and heights that have not lived in the past, while other species of ticks are rapidly expanding their range in Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, etc.
The reasons for the expansion of tick ranges in Europe have not been fully elucidated, and some have suggested that it may be related to global climate change. In addition, as a result of deforestation, mites attached to wild animals may also settle in areas inhabited by humans.
Among the increased ticks, some species are also active in winter (from minus 0.2 ° C), and the harm to pet dogs has also increased. The increase in dogs suffering from Babesia's disease in Germany and neighboring countries is worrying.
Consult with your veterinarian for a more cautious response
The research team commissioned animal hospitals in Germany and Austria to assist in the investigation of ticks. Once a month, we send insect traps to the 219 animal hospitals that have agreed to assist with the investigation and send the collected ticks back.
The tick collection lasted 14 months from May 2020 to June 2021, during which a total of 19,514 ticks were received, and the tick samples were identified morphologically and the eyes were measured to estimate the time when they attached to cats and dogs.
The results of the survey confirm the dramatic increase in tick species in Central European countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland. We know that traditional anti-mite repelvicts work on this tick for too short a time.
In addition, during the winter months of December, January and February, an average of 180 dogs and cats are treated for tick-related problems every month, and the fact that ticks are active throughout the year is once again clear.
The researchers recommend the use of approved anthelmintic drugs throughout the year. A full discussion with the veterinarian about the choice of product, the correct method of administration, the duration of action is indispensable.
summary
Germany conducted a survey of ticks in cats and dogs, and the results confirmed a sharp increase in tick numbers, changes in species, and ecological changes.
The same is true in Japan, where ticks are increasing in winter, and if this is due to global climate change, it is definitely no one else's business. In the future, if the weather warms up, it is even more necessary to be vigilant, and in order to protect your beloved dog, you need to be fully prepared.