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Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that caused by the spiral-shaped bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, that can be transmitted to dogs, humans, and other animals by certain species of ticks. The bacteria enter an animal’s or person’s bloodstream through a tick bite and can travel to different parts of the body, causing problems in specific organs or locations, such as joints, as well as overall illness.
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First named when a number of cases occurred in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975, the disease can be hard to detect and can cause serious, ongoing health problems in both dogs and people.
Where Do Ticks Live?
The ticks that carry Lyme disease are especially likely to be found in tall grasses, thick brush, marshes, and woods — waiting to latch onto your dog when they pass by. A tick can transmit the disease once it has been attached to a dog for 24 to 48 hours.
Lyme disease occurs in every state, but infection risks vary. Over 95% of cases are from the Northeast, the Upper Midwest, and the Pacific Coast, although with recent changes in deforestation, migrating deer, and bird populations, those rates are shifting.
A small number of cases crop up each year along the West Coast, especially in Northern California. In Canada, Lyme-positive dogs are found mostly in southern Ontario and southern Manitoba.
How Do Ticks Get on People and Dogs?
Ticks don’t jump or fly—they can only crawl. They get onto their host by waiting at the tips of vegetation. When a dog or person brushes against a bush, for example, the tick quickly grabs on and then crawls to find a place to bite.
Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Lyme disease is a fairly common canine disease. Typical symptoms in dogs include:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Reduced energy
- Lameness (can be shifting, intermittent, and recurring)
- Generalized stiffness, discomfort, or pain
- Swelling of joints
Symptoms can progress to kidney failure in dogs, which can be fatal. Serious cardiac and neurological effects can also occur.
The primary carrier of Lyme disease is the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also called the “deer tick” or “bear tick.” The tick acquires the Lyme disease bacterium when it feeds on an animal that has been infected, such as a mouse, deer, or another mammal, and then transmits the bacterium to the next animal it feeds on.
How Are Dogs Tested for Lyme Disease?
Diagnosis is made by a combination of history, physical signs, and diagnostics. For dogs, the two blood tests for diagnosing Lyme disease are called the C6 Test and Quant C6 test, both performed by a veterinarian.
The C6 test detects antibodies against a protein called “C6.” Presence of the antibodies suggests an active Lyme infection. These antibodies can be detected three to five weeks after a tick bite, even before a dog shows signs of illness.
The next step is to do a Quant C6 test, along with urinalysis, will help determine if antibiotic treatment is necessary.
Lyme Disease Treatment Options and Recovery for Dogs
Treatment includes antibiotics, usually for at least 30 days. This often resolves symptoms quickly, but in some cases, the infection will persist and prolonged medication may be needed. Treatment may also include other therapies aimed at resolving or relieving specific symptoms.
Can I Catch Lyme Disease From My Dog?
Dogs are not a direct source of infection for people. Lyme disease can’t be transmitted from one pet to another, nor from pets to humans, except through tick bites. However, a carrier tick could come into your house on your dog’s fur and get on you.
If your dog is diagnosed with Lyme disease, you and any other pets have probably been in the same outdoor environment and may also be at risk. Consult with your physician and veterinarian to determine whether to test other pets or family members.
Other Canine Diseases Carried by Ticks
Other less common—but serious—bacterial tick-borne diseases in dogs include anaplasmosis and babesiosis.
Anaplasmosis can involve symptoms similar to those of Lyme disease. Babesiosis can present with a wide range of symptoms, from sudden and severe shock, high fever, and dark urine to a slowly progressing infection with more subtle clinical signs. Diagnosis of both diseases includes blood tests similar to those used to check for Lyme disease.
Dogs and people can also develop a “co-infection,” in which more than one tick-borne pathogen is transmitted through a single bite. This situation can make diagnosis and treatment significantly more complex.
Preventing Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Illnesses
Recommendations on preventing ticks include these from Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinarian for the AKC:
- Inspect your dogs and yourself daily for ticks. When checking your dog for ticks, look especially on the feet (and between toes), on lips, around eyes, ears (and inside ears), near the anus, and under the tail.
- Remove ticks immediately. The quicker you find them, the less likely your dog will be to contract a secondary illness related to tick bites. Learn the proper method of removing ticks from dogs. Invest in a pair of fine tweezers designed to remove ticks. If you’re unable to remove a tick safely, contact your veterinarian.
- Ask your veterinarian to conduct a tick check at each exam. They’ll be able to find any you may have missed.
- Use a veterinarian-approved flea and tick preventative. If you have any questions when selecting a product, your veterinarian can recommend an option best suited to your dog’s needs.
- Keep grass mowed as short as possible. Avoid walking into grassy patches in areas where ticks are common if you can.
- Get your dog vaccinated. A Lyme vaccine is available for dogs, though it may not be appropriate for some. Your veterinarian can advise you on whether it’s right for your dog.
Key Takeaways
- Tick-borne bacterial disease affecting dogs across the U.S.
- Common signs: fever, lameness, joint swelling, fatigue
- Diagnosis through veterinary exams and C6-based blood tests
- Antibiotic treatment typically effective, though some cases persist
- Prevention through tick control, daily checks, and veterinary guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long does it take for Lyme disease symptoms to appear in dogs?
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Symptoms can develop weeks to months after a tick bite. Some dogs may never show visible signs despite being infected.
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Can a dog fully recover from Lyme disease?
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Most dogs recover well with antibiotics, especially when treatment begins early. However, some may experience lingering or recurring issues.
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Are all ticks capable of spreading Lyme disease?
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No. Lyme disease is primarily spread by black-legged ticks, also called deer ticks. Not all tick species carry the bacteria.
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Should all dogs be vaccinated against Lyme disease?
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Not necessarily. Vaccination depends on your dog’s exposure risk, location, and lifestyle. Your veterinarian can help you decide.
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What should I do if I find a tick on my dog?
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Remove it promptly using proper technique and monitor your dog for symptoms. Contact your veterinarian if you notice changes in behavior or health.
This article is intended solely as general guidance, and does not constitute health or other professional advice. Individual situations and applicable laws vary by jurisdiction, and you are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice from qualified professionals in the applicable jurisdictions. We make no representations or warranties concerning any course of action taken by any person following or otherwise using the information offered or provided in this article, including any such information associated with and provided in connection with third-party products, and we will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages that may result, including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death.