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Some good news for dog owners.
There's been concern over whether the medicine NexGard, used to treat infestations with fleas and ticks in dogs, also offers protection against the new Asian Longhorned tick.
Veterinarian Dr. Mike Hutchinson with Animal General in Cranberry Township provided the answer on the Big K Morning Show.
“I had called the chief scientific officer from the NexGard makers and they said that it is on the label in other parts of the world where it was common like Malaysia and Asia, so we don’t need to worry, they’re using the same milligram strength in the United States, so NexGard does work on this tick,” said Hutchinson.
The Asian Longhorned tick is an invasive tick that primarily impacts livestock health but may also spread pathogens that affect human health.
The CDC says this new species of tick has been seen in 19 states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
Hutchinson says this species of ticks can reproduce quickly.
“The females don’t need a male to reproduce and females can reproduce without the male, what a nightmare,” said Dr. Hutchinson.
He says the Asian longhorned tick can hide in tall grass and survive harsh conditions.
The tick has reportedly killed at least three cows in Ohio.