Lyme disease, transmitted by Ixodes ticks, is an increasingly prevalent infection in dogs that can cause chronic joint pain, kidney disease, and debilitating illness if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Lyme disease causes significant suffering in affected dogs. The shifting lameness is painful and often misinterpreted as musculoskeletal injury, delaying diagnosis. Lyme nephritis represents a particularly severe welfare concern — progressive kidney failure causes nausea, fluid accumulation, and ultimately death if untreated. Early diagnosis through antibody testing and prompt doxycycline treatment generally leads to good outcomes. However, some dogs experience persistent joint discomfort even after treatment. Preventive measures — vaccination, acaricide-based tick preventives, and daily tick checks — protect dogs from both the welfare impact of infection and the distress of intensive treatment. The expanding geographic range of ticks means vigilance is needed even in previously low-risk areas.