Tick-borne diseases cause significant welfare harm in dogs. Effective prevention through approved acaricides and tick checking dramatically reduces disease transmission risk.
Tick-borne diseases cause significant animal welfare harm through fever, joint pain, lethargy, and in serious cases, organ damage and death. Lyme nephritis — a severe kidney complication of Lyme disease — carries a poor prognosis and causes prolonged suffering. Prevention is highly effective and represents the most welfare-efficient intervention. The expanding geographic range of tick vectors with climate change means that dogs in areas historically considered low-risk may now require year-round prevention. Daily tick checks after outdoor time, combined with monthly or continuous preventive treatments, provide strong protection. Early veterinary treatment of suspected tick-borne disease before severe manifestations develop improves welfare outcomes significantly. Vaccination against Lyme disease in endemic areas provides an additional protective layer.