Tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis cause significant suffering in dogs. Prevention through tick control and vaccination protects dogs from these serious and sometimes fatal infections.
Tick-borne diseases cause prolonged and serious suffering in affected dogs. Lyme disease causes chronic joint pain and can progress to fatal kidney disease. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can cause death within days of symptom onset without treatment. The chronic, progressive nature of these diseases means that unprotected dogs in tick-endemic regions face real and significant welfare risks from preventable infections. The tools for prevention — monthly preventives, vaccination, and daily tick checks — are practical and effective, making tick-borne disease one of the most clearly preventable causes of dog suffering. As tick ranges expand with climate change, the number of dogs at risk is growing, making owner education about prevention increasingly important.