5 Facts You May Not Know About Lyme Disease in Dogs
Introduction
Maggie was a proud and attentive dog owner who loved spending time outdoors with her Golden Retriever, Daisy. Together, they enjoyed countless hikes and adventures in the great outdoors. But when Daisy started acting lethargic and showing signs of joint pain, Maggie’s concern grew. After a visit to the vet, she was shocked to learn that Daisy had contracted Lyme disease. This diagnosis led Maggie down a path of discovery, as she realized there was so much she didn’t know about this potentially dangerous condition.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites. The bacteria infects dogs’ joints, causing arthritis. Symptoms include lameness, joint pain, fever, lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.
If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause heart problems, kidney failure, seizures, paralysis, dementia, and death.
Ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, so prevention starts with reducing the number of ticks on your dog. This means keeping your dog indoors during peak tick season (spring and fall) and checking him regularly for ticks after he goes outside.
Checking your dog for ticks daily is essential because some ticks may not be attached when you find them. In addition, ticks can transmit diseases at any stage of development, including eggs, larvae, nymphs, and adults.
Your veterinarian should thoroughly examine your dog to determine signs of Lyme disease. Your vet may recommend treatment with antibiotics if your dog shows symptoms. Here are five facts about Lyme disease in dogs:

1. Transmission is Relatively Fast
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks. Symptoms usually develop within two weeks of exposure, although some dogs might not show signs for 30 days. Once contracted, it can take up to 10 days to become symptomatic. However, once symptoms begin to occur, the disease progresses quickly.
The most common symptom of Lyme disease is lameness. Other symptoms include fever, lethargic behavior, lack of appetite, and swelling of the joints. If left untreated, the disease can lead to heart damage, arthritis, and neurological problems.
In addition to being contagious, ticks carry a variety of diseases. Some are spread via mosquitoes, while mites have others. These include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and bartonellosis.
2. Dogs Can Develop Lyme Nephritis
Lyme nephritis is a rare complication of Lyme disease. However, it is one of the most severe complications of Lyme disease. This complication occurs when bacteria from the tick bite spreads to the kidneys. The infection causes inflammation and scarring of the kidneys. If left untreated, the condition can lead to death.
The good news is that the early signs of Lyme nephritis are easy to spot. These include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weight loss, decreased appetite, and fever. The symptoms usually begin around three weeks after being bitten by a tick carrying Lyme disease.
In addition to antibiotics, doctors recommend treating dogs with Lyme nephritis with corticosteroids. Corticosteroids help reduce swelling and inflammation in the kidneys. They also slow down the progression of the disease. However, this treatment has side effects, including increased thirst, urination, and appetite.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog might have Lyme nephritis.
3. Lyme Disease in Dogs Can Affect Everywhere

Over 300 species of ticks carry the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. Technically, they are everywhere! Dogs who spend time outside risk contracting Lyme disease because they come into contact with infected ticks. However, this doesn’t mean every outdoor dog becomes sick. Only 10% of dogs exposed to Lyme disease become ill.
While the disease may be most commonly seen in parts of North America and Europe, it has been detected in dogs across Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, South America and even Antarctica! That’s right – your pup can get Lyme Disease no matter where you live.
Further, it is essential to note that Lyme Disease has been diagnosed even in regions not previously considered prone to infection. This means you should always keep a close eye on your pup during outdoor activities anywhere in the world, as they may still be at risk for contracting Lyme Disease.
Additionally, many assume they will only need to check their pups for ticks when camping or hiking – however, this needs to be corrected! Ticks who transmit Lyme Disease live virtually all over the globe, so you are best served to check for any visitors each time your pup returns from playing outside
4. Most Deer Ticks are Infected with Lyme Disease
Even though you don’t see the ticks, infected ones could still feed on your dog. In addition, female deer ticks are twice as likely to transfer the disease to dogs than male ticks.
Deer Ticks are Tiny
The deer tick is the most common type of tick that carries Lyme disease. These tiny black insects feed on blood and can easily hide under leaves and grasses. They usually bite dogs in late spring and early summer.
While most dogs don’t show signs of being bitten by a tick, some do. A dog needs to have three bites within 24 hours of being outside to develop Lyme disease. To prevent contracting Lyme disease, check yourself, your children, and your pets regularly for ticks. Remove ticks promptly once found.
Deer Ticks Can Survive Frigid Temperatures
While deer ticks usually prefer warmer climates, they can survive in colder weather. Some species can even thrive in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Your pet might not be safe just because it went outdoors during winter. A study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that deer ticks could survive up to six weeks in temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make sure to check your dog regularly for ticks. After each outing, check your dog’s fur and skin for ticks. Pay particular attention to the head, neck, armpits, groin, and legs since these are common areas of infestation. Use a pair of tweezers to remove any ticks you find.
Several available products contain natural ingredients, such as essential oils that help keep deer ticks away from your dog. Be sure to follow all directions on the product label carefully during application.
5. Lyme Disease Can Be Fatal
Lyme disease can, unfortunately, be life-threatening in some dogs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are about 300,000 cases of Lyme disease in the United States every year. In 2016, there were over 21,000 reported cases of Lyme disease in Texas alone.
Canine Lyme Disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to pets through a bite from an infected tick. Some dogs may not show any symptoms at all. Instead, they may act sickly or lethargic. Although some treatments aren’t 100% effective, early diagnosis is essential. Some severe cases that are not caught early can lead to kidney failure, heart problems, and even death.
It’s essential to monitor your pet regularly for signs and symptoms of Lyme Disease, such as fever, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. In addition, a simple blood test can often detect if your dog has been exposed to this bacterium, so it’s essential to get your pet regularly tested by a veterinarian if they live in common areas where ticks are common.
How Can You Protect Your Dog from Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne diseases in dogs and humans. You can protect yourself and your dog from getting infected in several ways. Here are three things you can do now to prevent Lyme disease exposure:
- Keep your yard clean
Check your yard regularly for ticks. Ticks can hide under leaves and bark. Use tweezers to remove any ticks found on your dog. Ticks thrive in wooded areas where there are tall grasses and shrubs.

Clean up any standing water near your house. Ticks often lay eggs in these pools of water. Remove leaf litter and debris from your yard. Ticks thrive in damp environments.
If you live near woods or brushy areas, ensure your lawn is mowed regularly and your bushes trimmed. You could also use a product like TickGard® to kill off unwanted pests.
- Check your dog’s coat
Keep your dog indoors during peak hours of tick activity. However, if your dog spends time outdoors, check their coat weekly to look for signs of parasites such as fleas, lice, or ticks.
Brush your dog daily. Brushing removes loose hair and dead skin cells that can harbor ticks. Ticks tend to hide under long hair, so combing your pet thoroughly is essential. Your vet can also perform a quick exam to determine whether your dog needs treatment.
- Use repellents
Apply flea control products to your dog. Fleas can transmit diseases to your dog. You can help keep ticks away by using DEET (diethyltoluamide) products or picaridin. Both are safe for humans and animals.
You can use a product called Frontline Plus® plus Advantage Multi®, which contains monthly flea/tick prevention and a yearly heartworm preventive. This combination protects your pet from parasites throughout the year.
You can also apply a topical spray that includes permethrin, another effective tick repellant. But, again, follow label directions carefully, especially if you’re using the product directly on your pet’s skin.
If you live in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent, talk with your veterinarian about whether they recommend a particular treatment plan. Several types of antibiotics can help treat Lyme disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
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