Lyme Disease in Dogs: What It Is and How to Prevent It

Whether your dog is a couch potato or a hiking fanatic, ticks — and the diseases they carry — are a threat. Lyme disease is a serious health risk for infected dogs. But, there are plenty of ways pet parents can protect dogs from Lyme disease.

In this article, we'll cover the ins and outs of Lyme disease in dogs, including:

• What is Lyme disease in dogs
• How to diagnose Lyme disease in dogs
• How to treat Lyme disease in dogs
• 5 ways to prevent Lyme disease in dogs

What is Lyme disease in dogs

Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) is a bacterial illness that can spread to humans, dogs, and other animals by infected ticks. When ticks are infected with this disease causing bacteria, they become carriers of Lyme disease.

How do dogs get Lyme disease

Dogs contract Lyme disease through infected tick bites.

Blacklegged ticks — also known as deer ticks — can carry Lyme disease. The western blacklegged tick can also carry it and spread it to your dog during outdoor activities like:

• Walking
• Playing outside
• Hiking
• Camping

If you’ve never seen a tick on a dog, you may wonder what ticks look like.

When blacklegged ticks are in the nymph or larva life stages, they are tiny and hard to see. Nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed, and an adult deer tick is about the size of a sesame seed.

These young ticks can get infected with Borrelia bacteria when they bite and feed on infected animals like mice. Infected ticks or nymphs can spread Lyme disease when they bite other animals.

The deer tick populations live mostly in the eastern United States. This region is at higher risk during warmer months, but adult ticks are active in winter when the temperature is above freezing.

Other types of ticks on dogs

While only blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease, other types of ticks can carry other diseases and cause health issues for your dog:

American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)

The American dog tick is commonly found east of the Rocky Mountains and along parts of the Pacific Coast. You can find them in wooded areas near roads and trails with brush, twigs, and tall grass.

The peak season for the American dog tick begins in the spring and can extend throughout the year, depending on the region.

Brown Dog Tick (Kennel Tick)

Brown dog ticks are found all over the world. While they can live outdoors, they are commonly found indoors. Because they can survive entirely indoors, brown dog ticks are a year-round risk for many dogs.

Brown dog ticks like to live in areas in your home like:

• Dog beds
• Kennels
• Crates
• Your dog's fur

Lone Star Tick

Lone star ticks are found throughout the U.S. but are most common in the Southern region. They heavily populate wooded areas. These ticks aren't known to carry Lyme borreliosis.

Signs of Lyme disease in dogs

From joint swelling to serious complications like kidney disease, here are some common signs of Lyme disease in dogs:

• Generalized stiffness in legs
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swollen joints and joint pain

Diagnosing Lyme disease

Now that we've covered the basics, you're probably wondering "How is Lyme disease diagnosed? The truth is it isn't always a simple process.

If your dog is sick and showing symptoms, your veterinarian will consider several things before officially diagnosing your pet, like:

• Your dog's history of tick bites
• Your dog's symptoms and clinical signs
• Your dog's response to treatment

Your vet can officially diagnose Lyme disease through blood testing. Blood tests can detect the presence of Lyme disease in dogs early — so your dog may test positive before they show symptoms.

How is Lyme disease treated

There are three different stages of Lyme disease infection:

1. Localized: This stage occurs within a few days of the tick bite and initial infection. Your dog could show clinical signs like itching, redness, and irritation at the bite site.
2. Disseminated: This stage occurs within a few weeks, when the bacterial infection spreads to other parts of your dog's body. Your dog's symptoms may progress into a fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and limping.
3. Persistent: This stage can occur months or years after the tick bite when your dog is chronically infected. The most common symptoms if left untreated are arthritis, kidney failure, and neurological problems.

Depending on which stage of infection your dog is in, their treatment plan can vary.

Antibiotic treatment

Typically, Lyme positive dogs need a 30-day course of antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy is not recommended for infected dogs not showing symptoms.

Lyme nephritis

Some dogs with Lyme disease develop a type of kidney disease called Lyme nephritis. Dogs with Lyme nephritis may have more serious clinical signs like:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• (In severe cases) death

If your dog tested positive for Lyme disease and develops Lyme nephritis over time, they may have a poor prognosis. Or, a longer course of antibiotics may be necessary.

5 ways to prevent Lyme disease in dogs

According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, canine Lyme disease is through tick control measures to reduce the chance of tick bites and Borrelia burgdorferi. Here are 5 ways pet parents can help prevent ticks on dogs.

1. Use monthly flea and tick prevention.

The most effective Lyme disease prevention is stopping them from biting your dog in the first place. Monthly flea and tick preventatives like Wags Advance® for Dogs are safe and effective at getting rid of fleas, ticks, and chewing lice on dogs.

2. Perform regular tick checks.

If your dog spends lots of time in tall grasses outdoors, it's important to check them for ticks. To perform a tick check, slowly scan your dog's body focusing on covered areas like their ears with your fingers.

Start at their head, around their eyes, ears, and under their collar. Move down their body exploring their armpits, groin, and tail. If your dog has a long coat, use a flea comb to part their fur and scan for ticks.

3. Know how to remove a deer tick.

Removing a black legged tick safely is an important skill. Safe removal can be the difference between avoiding tick-borne illness and your dog becoming infected.

Here are 6 simple steps to safely remove a black legged tick.

Prepare

Wear protective gloves and find an open spot with good lighting. Be sure you have a tick remover like tweezers and a flea comb.

Take care

Removing a tick can be stressful for your dog. Keep your dog calm and comfortable with treats, pets, and positive reinforcement.

Remove

Use a flea comb to part your dog's fur around the tick. Then, grasp the tick with tweezers as close to your dog's skin as possible.

In a steady motion, gently pull the tick out with firm, upward pressure. Do not twist, as that may cause the tick's body to separate from the head. If the tick's head is left embedded in your dog's skin, it can cause disease, irritation, and infection.

Preserve

After removal, place the tick in a small container with isopropyl alcohol. Write the date and location of the tick bite on the container to share with your veterinarian.

Clean

Wash your hands with soap and water and clean the bite area with antiseptic soap. Disinfect your tools with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol.

Repeat

Scan your dog and repeat the process. If you feel uncomfortable removing a tick from your dog, visit your veterinarian for help.

4. Avoid tick habitat.

Limit activities in wooded areas if possible. Backyards with trees, tall grass, and leaf litter may also attract ticks.

5. Consider getting your dog vaccinated.

Your vet may recommend the Lyme disease vaccine if:

• You live in or frequently visit areas known for Lyme disease
• You live in areas with high potential for tick exposure

Vaccinating dogs for Lyme disease is not recommended if they have kidney issues. Vets may also recommend dogs infected with Lyme disease get the vaccine to prevent reinfection.

Keeping your dog protected from Lyme disease doesn’t have to be difficult. Be sure to stick to a monthly prevention plan, know the steps to safely remove a tick, and be mindful when spending time outdoors with your dog.