Ticks transmit serious diseases including Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis to dogs and humans, and effective prevention is an important welfare measure.
Tick-borne disease causes significant welfare harm in affected dogs — Lyme disease causes chronic joint pain and can cause progressive kidney failure. The expanding geographic range of ticks due to climate change is making tick prevention increasingly important in previously low-risk areas. Effective prevention requires year-round coverage as ticks can be active during mild winter days. Prompt removal of attached ticks reduces transmission risk for most tick-borne pathogens. Dogs with Lyme disease require antibiotic treatment and long-term monitoring for kidney complications. Vaccination against Lyme disease is available in some countries and appropriate for dogs in endemic areas.