Preventing Lyme Disease in Dogs

Ticks might be small, but they can cause big problems. Dogs (and people!) can develop serious illnesses from Lyme disease after a tick bite. Keep reading for important information about Lyme disease in dogs.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

You may be familiar with Lyme disease in humans, which can cause chronic fatigue, joint pain, and other issues. Unfortunately, our pets are susceptible to this illness, too.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states, “Lyme disease is an illness caused by a type of bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi),” and not all pets will experience the same effects from the illness. In fact, some dogs may become infected and show no negative signs at all. However, if you notice any of the following issues for your dog, Lyme disease might be the culprit:

• Limping that does not result from an obvious injury
• Limping that shifts from one leg to another
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Swelling in neck or “armpits” in lymph node areas

While these symptoms are not specific to Lyme disease only, they are signs that you should contact your veterinarian for an appointment. If you’re concerned, don’t wait. The kidneys specifically can be affected, which can be fatal.

How Do Dogs Get Lyme Disease?

Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, can carry and spread Lyme disease through their bites. You can encounter these ticks throughout the United States, and not just during hikes through forested areas. Anywhere you find grass, shrubs, or other foliage could be blacklegged tick habitat.

When a tick bites and feeds on an animal infected with Lyme disease, they can carry the bacteria throughout their life stages, and then pass it along to the next animal or person they bite. Uninterrupted, ticks will stay attached for a day or two when they bite to feed, and it can take this prolonged attachment to spread disease.

Ticks can be tiny, so after outdoor adventures, it is vital to carefully check your dog from head to tail. Remove ticks with tweezers; grip as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out. Do your best not to twist or crush so that you remove the tick and its mouthparts entirely. You can reach out to your veterinarian for help.

Frustratingly, if you notice a tick bite, it doesn’t mean that Lyme disease symptoms might show up right away. This illness can lie in wait and cause symptoms even months after a tick bite, when you may not think to suspect Lyme.

Lyme Disease Prevention

Tick bites cannot always be avoided, but you can help protect your dog against tickborne diseases with help from your veterinary team.

A vaccine is available to protect dogs against illness from Lyme disease, which is helpful for pets as well as people, because it can break the chain of infection from tick bite to tick bite. When you contact your vet to request records for an upcoming boarding or daycare stay with us, ask them about this annual vaccine as well.

Also, ask your veterinarian for guidance when it comes to tick prevention. Many different topical and oral options are out there, but you want to avoid products that are at best ineffective, and at worst downright dangerous. These products can’t fully stop ticks from biting your dog, but they can result in the tick dying before enough time has passed to transmit disease.

As mentioned above, check your dog’s fur and skin regularly. Ticks can be as tiny as a poppy seed, so be intentional and thorough during tick checks. Don’t forget to check yourself, too! Plus, you might be an avid hiker, but sometimes a stroll along neighborhood sidewalks can keep you out of tick habitats.

Blood testing is an important tool in diagnosing Lyme disease in dogs. Depending on the severity and symptoms, treatment after a positive test could be a course of antibiotics. However, your vet’s treatment plan will depend on what an exam of your pet reveals.

Lyme disease can be such a pain—literally! Preventing Lyme disease in dogs takes time and attention, but the health of your best four-legged friend is certainly worth it!