with rising temperatures, many of us are spending more time outdoors, prompting dog owners to be vigilant about ticks.
While some may associate tick activity primarily with spring adn summer, a veterinarian based in Maryland has observed a significant increase in tick encounters during the fall months of October through December compared to the peak summer months of July and August.
“Ticks are active throughout the entire year,” explained Dr. Victor Katz from Muddy Division Veterinary Center in Gaithersburg. “They may become slightly dormant when temperatures drop to around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but once it warms up to between 35 and 37 degrees, they start moving around again.”
The normal body temperature for dogs is approximately 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Ticks are attracted to warmth and can detect temperature changes, humidity levels, and movement.
The D.C. area is home to several tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. “About seven years ago, researchers shifted the focus for studying Lyme disease from Hartford, Connecticut to Derwood, Maryland,” Katz stated. “We’re essentially at the heart of Lyme disease.” Katz recommends monthly oral medications like Simparica, Bravecto, or NexGard as effective methods for protecting your pets against tick-related illnesses. “these medications don’t create a protective barrier around your dog that zaps ticks away; rather,” he clarified. “If a tick bites a dog that’s on one of these preventatives, it will die within four to six hours.” This timing is crucial since many diseases transmitted by ticks can take anywhere from 10 to 12 hours before transmission occurs. “Essentially,” he added,“the medication eliminates the tick before it has an prospect to transmit enough pathogens that could harm your pet.” There have been reports indicating that some preventative treatments might increase seizure risks in certain dogs. For those pets at risk, © 2025 WTOP News Network. All rights reserved. this site is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
katz suggests using Seresto collars which provide protection for about six months and have proven highly effective.
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A seasoned reporter in D.C., Jimmy Alexander has contributed his expertise through DC Files Now
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