A Front Range veterinarian says ticks carrying the bacteria behind Lyme disease have now been detected in Colorado, with most sightings clustered in Larimer County and some pets testing positive in the northern part of the state. After a mild winter, ticks are showing up early, sending pet owners and hikers scrambling to update preventives and get serious about post-hike tick checks. Local clinics expect a busier-than-usual season and are urging people to be cautious on trails, in open space, and even in their own backyards.
Local Vet Sounds The Alarm
Dr. Shelley Brown, co-owner and medical director at Harmony Veterinary Center, is among the vets sounding the warning after spotting ticks on animals earlier than usual this spring. Brown told KDVR that “with temperatures rising, ticks carrying Lyme have moved into new states,” and that “most ticks carrying Lyme disease have been found in Larimer County, with some pets testing positive in the northern part of the state,” according to the Denver Gazette. Her Arvada clinic has been telling clients not to wait for the typical April–May surge and to start tick prevention right away.
State Health Officials Urge Surveillance, Not Panic
State health leaders, meanwhile, are trying to strike a balance between concern and calm. Colorado has never been a major Lyme hotspot, and officials say they are still gathering data on what these new tick finds really mean. Denver7 reports that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has called the situation “a work in progress” and is encouraging people to do thorough tick checks and to report what they find. Larimer County’s public-health page directs residents to the CDPHE Citizen Scientist Tick Surveillance Project, where people can submit ticks for identification and get local prevention tips.
Ticks Are Shifting Ranges, Experts Say
Researchers and veterinarians across the country have been documenting several tick species expanding their territory, which raises the odds that Lyme-carrying ticks can get a foothold in new regions. A recent review in Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases lays out these shifting ranges, while forecasts from the Companion Animal Parasite Council point to rising canine exposure in places that used to be considered low risk. Citizen-science projects and past surveillance have also turned up Ixodes-group ticks in parts of Colorado, which is why veterinarians and public-health officials are watching the Front Range especially closely.
How To Protect Pets And People
Vets recommend year-round, veterinarian-approved tick preventives for dogs, daily tick checks after time outdoors, and quick removal of any attached ticks. Dr. Brown tells owners to “grab the tick firmly as close to the skin as you can and use firm, consistent pressure” when pulling it off, advice shared with the Denver Gazette. The CDC adds that early removal, watching for fever, rash, or joint pain, and getting prompt medical care can help prevent more serious illness.
In the meantime, Larimer County and state public-health websites offer checklists for yard work, repellents, and pet care that can cut down the chances of bites as tick season ramps up.
