EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.– As Memorial Day approaches, veterinarians want to remind pet owners to make sure their dogs are on a flea and tick preventative.
This, as some West Michigan cities are among the worst in the country for mosquitoes.
The risk is higher for those planning to spend time in wooded areas or near water.
For instance, Reed’s Lake in East Grand Rapids is a place veterinarians say they are seeing more ticks lately. But the problem with pests is a regional one.
According to Orkin Pest Control, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rank 12th on the list of 20 worst Mosquito Cities in the country. And, mosquitoes carry heart worm disease.
“So if there is one heart worm positive dog, about 80- 85% of mosquitoes around that dog are carrying heart worm disease and then those can fly up to a mile and bite another dog and cause that dog to have heart worm disease,” said Veterinarian Lynn Happel of Eastown Veterinary Clinic.
As always, if you notice your pet behaving differently, or they won’t eat or become sick, have them checked out.
Also important to note is to make sure to slowly reintroduce your pet to activities like walks or runs, as we are now moving into the season for heat exhaustion.
