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Attention dog owners: Canine malaria remains dangerous until winter!
The Vorpommern-Greifswald district warns of dangerous dog malaria: ticks remain active until late autumn.
Attention dog owners: Canine malaria remains dangerous until winter!
There is currently a worrying situation in the Vorpommern-Greifswald district regarding canine malaria, also known as babesiosis. The district warns urgently about the danger of this disease, which is particularly transmitted by alluvial forest ticks. There have already been two cases in the region this year, dating back to the summer months. These ticks are still active, up to a temperature of 5 degrees. This means that dogs need to be careful even in late fall. Infection can occur within 12 to 48 hours of a tick bite, making rapid detection and treatment even more important.
As nordkurier.de reports, the symptoms of babesiosis are extremely serious: the most common signs include high fever, weakness, loss of appetite and pale mucous membranes. In more serious cases, bloody urine, jaundice and breathing problems can occur. The veterinary authorities emphasize that the disease in dogs is not reportable, so no binding case numbers are known. On average, there were two confirmed cases in 2024 and 2025, with illnesses also being documented in Penkun in September 2024 and in Ramin in April 2025.
Prevention is the be-all and end-all
The good news is that there are effective measures to protect dogs from this insidious disease. In addition to proper tick prevention, which includes spot-on medication, collars or tablets, experts recommend checking your dog regularly after walks. But be careful: year-round protection is crucial to protect your four-legged friends.
The riparian forest ticks, which are most commonly found in moist areas such as meadows, forest edges or near bodies of water, are particularly active in spring and autumn. The district recommends dog owners be careful and know the signs of possible infection. Because as the saying goes, caution is the mother of the china box. Prompt presentation to the vet in suspected cases can save lives.
Of course, dog owners should also find out about possible treatment options. In the event of an infection, medication prescribed by a veterinarian can help to get the disease under control. This shows how important preventive action and quick reactions are.
The current developments surrounding canine malaria make it clear that the fight against ticks and the associated health risks will continue in the coming months. It is therefore essential to warn dog owners to be vigilant and to provide comprehensive information about the risks and measures. Ultimately, a well-informed dog owner is the best protection for his four-legged friend.