PARASITES FORECASTS ARE IN: Companion Animal Parasite Council Predicts 2017 to Be a Hotbed an Increase Prevalence of Heartworm for PROTECT YOUR PET â?? NOW IS THE TIME! The Nationâ??s Leading Parasite Experts Show Us How There are more than 175 million dogs and cats in the United States. However, only 60 percent of dogs are protected for parasite transmitted diseases like heartworm and Lyme disease. For cats, itâ??s fewer than four in 10. Millions of these pets are infected each year by parasites like fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Even worse, some of these parasites carry diseases that can be transmitted to YOU. NOW is the time to protect your pets and family! Much like the National Weather Service can forecast turbulent weather, the Companion Animal Parasite Council projects how bad the parasite season will be. Based on a model similar to that used to predict U.S. hurricanes, the annual Companion Animal Parasite Council Forecasts predicts activity based on factors like temperature, precipitation and population density. Shifting weather patterns have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes across the country. Mosquitoes transmit heartworm disease, which can be deadly to pets. The threat of heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, is expected to be above average, nationwide. â?¨ Lyme disease is a high threat this year again as ticks that transmit the agent of Lyme disease have expanded their range from New York to Western Wisconsin. Transmission of the agents of anaplasmosis continues to be a problem in Northern California and Southern Oregon. Ehrlichiosis is geographically a challenge. The disease can be nonexistent to rampant within 200 miles. To keep pets and people safe from ticks and other parasites, the Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends: Providing year-round protection against parasite-transmitted diseases for your pet Take your pet to the veterinarian every year for parasite testing because pets often donâ??t show symptoms when they first have a disease. Checking the disease threat in your area by signing up for the Companion Animal Parasite Council updates at http://www.petsandparasites.org. Karen Fling, DVM; East Lake Veterinary Hospital, Dallas, TX As owner of East Lake Veterinary Hospital in Dallas for over 20 years, Dr. Fling has incorporated all aspects of her philosophy in its design: pets are members of the family. They should have the best medical care and individualized treatment during their visit. Plush lodging areas include dog bedrooms with small televisions and cat condos with a view to outdoor birdfeeders. Dr. Fling graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the CAPC board of directors and runs a non-profit pet adoption program, East Lake Pet Orphanage. Rick Marrinson, DVM; Longwood Veterinary Clinic, Longwood, Fla. Dr. Marrinson is the owner and medical director of Longwood Veterinary Clinic, a five-doctor practice located in central Florida. Throughout his career, he has worked extensively in emergency medicine with special interests in soft tissue surgery and endocrinology. A native of Oklahoma, Dr. Marrinson graduated from Oklahoma State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a member of the CAPC board of directors and serves in a volunteer leadership position with the Veterinary Emergency Clinics of Central Florida. Produced for: The Companion Animal Parasite Council The Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.capcvet.org) is an independent not-for-profit foundation comprised of parasitologists, veterinarians, medical, public health and other professionals that provides information for the optimal control of internal and external parasites that threaten the health of pets and people. Formed in 2002, the CAPC works to help veterinary professionals and pet owners develop the best practices in parasite management that protect pets from parasitic infections and reduce the risk of zoonotic parasite transmission.