Courtesy of the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society 

Lyme disease is not limited to humans. Dogs are also susceptible to this significant vector-borne threat. Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, Lyme disease can lead to debilitating joint pain, lethargy, and even life-threatening kidney failure in extreme cases. It behooves pet parents to safeguard their animals from Lyme disease.

The Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society (NFVA) reports that Lyme disease is primarily transmitted by the blacklegged tick, commonly known as the deer tick. As tick populations expand due to shifting climates, Lyme disease is no longer confined to the Northeast. In 2024, the Companion Animal Parasite Council found that 7% of dogs tested in Wisconsin and more than 10% of dogs in parts of New England tested positive for Lyme antibodies. Tick-borne illnesses are on the rise, even in historically low-risk areas like California.

Pet owners can take several steps to protect dogs from Lyme disease.

Maintain flea and tick prevention year-round. Ticks are appearing in areas where they weren’t always found and in months when they were thought to be dormant. It’s essential to protect pets with repellents and tick-preventatives year-round. These defenses are available as chewables, topicals, and specialized collars. According to the NFVA, a tick typically needs to be attached for 24 to 48 hours to transmit Lyme disease bacteria. Preventatives aim to eliminate the tick within this window. 
 

  • Consider vaccinating the dog. Dogs living in areas with high tick concentrations may benefit from the Lyme vaccine. Efficacy can range from 60% to 90%, but the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine notes that vaccinated dogs who contract Lyme disease often experience milder symptoms. 
  • Keep the yard tidy. Ticks thrive in tall grass, leaf litter, and wooded areas. Homeowners can keep their lawns short to eliminate the moist, shaded environments ticks prefer. They should also clear leaf debris and brush from the yard.  
  • Conduct a visual inspection. After time outdoors, it’s important for pet owners to check their dogs for ticks and remove any found. Attention should be paid to the ears, eyelids, under the collar, between the toes, and under the tail. 
  • Avoid walking in wooded areas. When walking dogs in parks and other areas with many trees, it’s important to stick to the trails and keep pets out of the brush, where ticks are likely to be lurking, especially during peak times when ticks are active. The New York State Department of Health says ticks are most active from March to mid-May and from mid-August to November. 

Protecting a dog from ticks and Lyme disease requires diligence and continuity. 

The Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society consists of 75 small animal hospitals and 200 practitioners in Erie and Niagara counties. Learn more at www.nfveterinarysociety.org.