Rising Levels of Ticks in Denver Spell Potential Trouble

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Rising Levels of Ticks in Denver Spell Potential Trouble

Lauren Pescarus • Sep 11, 2020

Protecting your dog from ticks

Reports of high tick populations are coming in from multiple pet owners in the Denver area, which calls for those who may be exposed to take a close look at this unique menace. Denver has never had to worry about a tick problem due to the elevation and climate, but this may change due to a variety of factors. With rising temperatures bringing in greater numbers of deer, new patterns for migrating birds due to climate change, and urban sprawl bringing nature to your front door, ticks will become more and more common in the Mile-High City. Here is everything you need to know about this new threat in order to keep you and your dog pest free for the on-going tick season:

Get Educated:

As reported in a recent article by Contact 7 ABC Denver , dogs out for a casual walk around the neighborhood have started coming back with tiny passengers, even though they are only visiting nearby parks. As ticks are a novel problem for many Denverites, pet parents have called in to vet offices asking how to get rid of (and avoid) the small pests. Because Denver does not have a reputation as a tick heavy area, few people are fully prepared for the occasion when their dog brings one home. Despite the historic absence of ticks, Colorado is actually home to nearly thirty different species, many of which can cause dangerous diseases.

While the prime tick season usually passes by late July, the Denver weekly forecast is still calling to reach the upper 80’s, which may extend the typical season by a month or more. The most common ticks that love munching on dogs are the winter tick, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, the American dog tick, and the brown dog tick, and all love tall grasses and warm temperatures. After the fall season takes hold and nights start to chill, ticks will start to take cover under the falling leaves that autumn brings. They will then emerge with the spring thaw.

What Diseases Can Your Dog Catch?

The number one tick disease many pet parents think about, Lyme disease, is not yet found in Colorado due to black-egged ticks not being a Rocky Mountain native. Don’t let your guard down, though, as Colorado ticks are still carriers for several unpleasant diseases.

Colorado tick fever, the most common tick-borne pathogen in the state, is carried by two of the most common tick species. This illness is characterized by flu-like symptoms which usually resolve themselves within a few days. Complications can still occur in some cases, so monitoring your pet during the time directly after a tick bite is important.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever, while not common outside of the northwestern side of the state, can still occur throughout the area through contact with two of the most common tick types. This fever is characterized by a rash, generally not feeling well, and may develop into a secondary infection which can bring an extremely high fever.

A particular risk to animals, Tularemia is normally carried through rabbits, but if rabbits and dogs cross they are more probable to pick it up. So far, this infection is considered rare, especially in humans, but not unheard of in the Denver area. This illness presents itself as a sudden high fever and weakness with swelling and pain of

the lymph nodes.

How to Protect You and Your Pooch:

There are several different ways you can protect both yourself and your pets while out and about if ticks begin to invade your area. Some medications for heartworm now double as flea and tick repellant, so you may only need to call your vet to check which medication you use. Other medications are designed solely for small skin parasites such as ticks.

If you use an application of a liquid medication to your pet’s skin once a month to prevent fleas and ticks, such as Frontline, always make sure you are purchasing these from your vet. Topical applications for pets need to be recommended base off weight, animal type, and needs. If you use a product not recommended for your pet you may cause severe harm. As a rule, skip the flea and tick products by the register at the pet store and head over to your vet for a prescription.

Other lifestyle changes can help prevent you becoming exposed to ticks and minimize your risk. By avoiding tall grass and walking under large leafy trees, both favorite gathering points for ticks, you may skip coming into contact with them at all. You can also choose to treat yourself or your clothes with an insect repelling chemical, such as DEET or permethrin. While DEET is not meant to use on your furry loved ones, it is very effective at keeping bugs off of you.

Denver’s tick problem isn’t so bad that you need to douse yourself in chemicals just yet, but you should be aware that your neighbors are always changing. The next time you open your door, you may see more eight legged guests greeting you from your yard.

Want to find out how to enjoy the water safely with pooch in tow? Check out our article “ 8 Tips for Enjoying the Water and Keeping Your Dog Safe ”.

By Lauren Pescarus

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