A few years ago, we used to tell you at the clinic to start protecting your furry friends against mosquitoes and ticks around late May or early June. However, we need to update that recommendation: the risk map has completely changed.
The latest reports from the ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites) and our own daily experience in consultations confirm a new reality: the global rise in temperatures and milder winters in our area have caused parasites to “wake up” much earlier.
The 15-Degree Danger Zone
We don’t need a heatwave for the risk to skyrocket. The sandfly (the mosquito that transmits the serious disease Leishmaniasis) and ticks (carriers of Ehrlichiosis or Babesiosis) begin their peak activity as soon as thermometers consistently stay above 15ºC (59ºF)—something that is already our daily bread in April.
What are we seeing in our consultations?
We don’t want to be alarmist, but we do want to be proactive. We are diagnosing more and more vector-borne diseases right in the middle of spring, in pets whose owners thought it was “still too cool” to apply a collar or pipette.
3 steps to protect your four-legged family members today:
1. Broad-spectrum protection: Not just any product will do. Give us a call, and we will recommend the exact combination (collar, pipette, or oral tablet) adapted to your dog or cat’s weight, breed, and lifestyle.
2. The Leishmania Test: If you didn’t run the rapid test on your dog at the end of winter, April is the deadline. We need to make sure they are healthy before the mosquito population reaches its peak.
3. Vaccination: If your dog tests negative, we will explain the immunization options (vaccines or syrups) so their immune system is ready just in case they get bitten.
Our advice: Prevention is always cheaper (and much less painful) than treatment. Don’t wait for the summer holidays to protect them.
Call us or send us a WhatsApp to book an appointment, and we will get their “protective shield” activated and ready so you can enjoy your spring walks with complete peace of mind.