Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — As more pets and their owners head outdoors this summer, veterinarians say we’re also entering peak tick season, which runs from May through July. Now researchers have discovered a new tick-borne illness in dogs.
Summertime is prime time for dogs. But along with the fun, can come hidden risks. Dogs can carry or spread rabies, ringworm, roundworm, and tick-borne illnesses to humans and they may not even look sick. The tick-borne disease most people know is Lyme disease, but experts say that just scratches the surface.
“We know that ticks transmit multiple organisms so they can carry a lot of different pathogens, said Barbara Qurollo, DVM, Associate Research Professor NC State College of Veterinary Medicine.
Now Doctor Qurollo and her team at NC State have confirmed a new tick-born illness, Rickettsia Finnyi that can make dogs very sick.
“So, the symptoms for Rickettsia Finnyi, the new organism the dogs had a fever. They didn’t feel well, which is why they were taken to the veterinarian,” said Qurollo.
So far the new disease has not been found in people. But researchers say dogs can act as early warning signs of emerging diseases. Which is why experts say tick prevention is critical. They recommend using veterinarian-approved tick prevention medications, checking your dog carefully after hikes or time in tall grass, and removing any ticks quickly with tweezers. Pet owners should also keep grass and brush trimmed in their yards to reduce tick habitats, and …
“If your dog doesn’t seem like they feel well, has a fever and you know, they’ve been exposed to ticks to get them to see their veterinarian,” said Qurollo.
For pet owners, a little extra checking after outdoor adventures can go a long way.
Rickettsia Finnyi was named after the first dog the disease was discovered in. Doctor Qurollo says that if you live in hot climates and in the Midwest, you should be extra aware of ticks. They believe this disease is coming from the lone star tick, which is now migrating northward. The peak window this is May 15 through July 15.
Contributors to this news report include: Marcy Wilder, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor.
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Sources:
https://www.history.com/articles/covid-19-pandemic
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00530-y
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/pet-infections.html
https://news.ncsu.edu/2025/12/researchers-confirm-new-rickettsia-species-found-in-dogs/
