READ THE FACTS ABOUT RISING TEMPERATURES

What’s the risk?

Among the consequences of rising temperatures are many risks to pets

As temperatures are on the rise during each and every season, pets are at a higher risk of parasites and the diseases that those parasites spread all year round.

We have gathered leading experts and asked them to tell us just how big the problem is.

In Europe, there are at least

5

invasive mosquito species

Some can infect pets with heartworm and are spreading to new regions and countries where they have never been previously found.1

In Spain, up to

71.4% of cats

have been infected by Bartonella, a bacteria that is transmitted by fleas and that causes cat scratch fever in humans. In Northern Europe, infection rates are lower, but usually above 20%, except for Norway.2

Ticks have been found at altitudes of up to

2,000 M

significantly expanding their coverage in Central Europe.3

In Southern Europe, are estimated

2.5 M

dogs Infected with Leishmania

are estimated to have been infected with Leishmania, a highly dangerous parasite transmitted by sand flies.4

Since 1983

ticks have expanded north as much as

400 KM

from their previous limit in Norway.5

In Europe alone, ticks transmit over

35

viral diseases

to people and pets, some of which are life-threatening. Ticks also transmit at least a dozen dangerous bacteria and parasites, too.6

Find the knowledge you need to keep your pet safe

Awareness is key to protect your pet against the problems and diseases that come with changing weather conditions and hotter weather. We have gathered articles, videos, and guides to empower you to stay informed and take action to protect your pet from changes on the seasons cycle.

Parasites

Diseases

Behaviour

One Health

Find the knowledge you need to keep your pet safe

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

“IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION THE FIRST IMPLICATION OF RISING TEMPERATURES IS THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN SPECIES OF TICKS ALL YEAR ROUND

PROF. AGUSTÍN ESTRADA

SPAIN

“THERE ARE PERIODS IN SPRING AND AUTUMN WHERE TICKS ARE ACTIVE, BUT PETS ARE NOT BEING TREATED APPROPRIATELY

PROF. AGUSTÍN ESTRADA

SPAIN

“EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED, SO TO HAVE BETTER HUMAN HEALTH, YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND YOU NEED ALSO TO TAKE CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT”

PROF. JACQUES GUILLOT

FRANCE

“WE HAVE OBSERVED THAT SANDFLIES ARE NOW ACTIVE ALONG THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST FOR MOST OF THE YEAR, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CANINE LEISHMANIOSIS CASES”

DR. JAVIER LUCIENTES

SPAIN

“YEAR-ROUND TICK ACTIVITY MEANS THAT VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES BECOME A YEAR-ROUND PROBLEM”

LUKASZ ADASZEK

POLAND

“TWO SURVEYS PERFORMED IN FRANCE SHOWED THAT THE ENDEMIC LEISHMANIOSIS ZONE GREW BY 60% OVER A PERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS, AS DETERMINED BASED ON CASES REPORTED BY VETS”

PROF. PATRICK BOURDEAU

FRANCE

*1 – Source: Medlock, J. M., Hansford, K. M., Schaffner, F., Versteirt, V., Hendrickx, G., Zeller, H., & Van Bortel, W. (2012). A review of the invasive mosquitoes in Europe: ecology, public health risks, and control options. Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.), 12(6), 435–447.
https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2011.0814

*2 – Source: Álvarez-Fernández, A., Breitschwerdt, E. B., & Solano-Gallego, L. (2018). Bartonella infections in cats and dogs including zoonotic aspects. Parasites & Vectors, 11(1), 1-21.

*3 – Source A: Materna, J., Daniel, M., & Danielová, V. (2005). Altitudinal distribution limit of the tick Ixodes ricinus shifted considerably towards higher altitudes in central Europe: results of three years monitoring in the Krkonose Mts.(Czech Republic). Central European journal of public health, 13(1), 24-28.
Source B: Semenza, J. C., & Suk, J. E. (2018). Vector-borne diseases and climate change: a European perspective. FEMS microbiology letters, 365(2), fnx244. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnx244

*4 – Source: Le Rutte, E. A., van der Wilt, L. S., Bulstra, C. A., Nieboer, D., Kontoroupis, P., de Vlas, S. J., & Richardus, J. H. (2021). Incidence and geographical distribution of canine leishmaniosis in 2016—2017 in Spain and France. Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, 25, 100613.

*5 – Source: Jore, S., Viljugrein, H., Hofshagen, M., Brun-Hansen, H., Kristoffersen, A. B., Nygård, K., … & Ytrehus, B. (2011). Multi-source analysis reveals latitudinal and altitudinal shifts in range of Ixodes ricinus at its northern distribution limit. Parasites & vectors, 4(1), 1-11. https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1756-3305-4-84

*6 – Source: Süss, J., & Schrader, C. (2004). Durch Zecken übertragene humanpathogene und bisher als apathogen geltende Mikroorganismen in Europa. Teil I: Zecken und Viren [Tick-borne human pathogenic microorganisms found in Europe and those considered nonpathogenic. Part I: Ticks and Viruses]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz, 47(4), 392–404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-003-0766-3

Looking for a Veterinary Practitioner?

Your veterinary practitioner plays a big role in your pet’s health. Enter your location information and get a list of vets near you.

FIND A VETERINARY PRACTITIONER NEAR ME