Ask most Bend pet owners whether they worry about ticks, and you'll often get a shrug. "That's more of an East Coast problem, right?"

Not anymore — and not here.

Tick populations in Oregon have been expanding steadily, and Central Oregon is no exception. Elevation and dry climate offer some protection, but if your dog hikes, hunts, camps, or even romps through brushy areas around Bend, tick exposure is a real possibility — and the diseases they carry are ones worth taking seriously.