Dog Lyme Disease: Prevention, Detection and Welfare

Lyme disease affects dogs in tick-endemic regions, causing joint pain, fever, and potentially life-threatening kidney disease, with prevention through tick control and vaccination being key welfare interventions.

Key Facts

Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted by Ixodes ticks after prolonged attachment
Only 5-10% of infected dogs show clinical signs, but disease can be severe when it occurs
Lyme nephritis, a protein-losing kidney disease, is a rare but often fatal complication in susceptible breeds
Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers appear disproportionately affected by Lyme nephritis
The Lyme vaccine is available for dogs and recommended in high-risk geographic areas
Year-round tick prevention is more effective than seasonal treatment given expanding tick distributions

Welfare Considerations

Dogs with active Lyme disease experience significant pain from polyarthritis, fever, and lethargy that substantially reduces quality of life. Lyme nephritis represents an acute welfare emergency with rapid deterioration despite aggressive treatment. Even successfully treated dogs may experience recurrent lameness. Given expanding tick ranges due to climate change, proactive prevention is increasingly important for dog welfare across larger geographic areas.

What You Can Do

Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention products appropriate for your region year-round
Vaccinate dogs against Lyme disease if you live in or travel to high-risk areas
Check dogs thoroughly for ticks after outdoor activities, focusing on skin folds and ear margins
Remove ticks promptly using a tick hook, avoiding squeezing the body
Monitor Labrador and Golden Retrievers closely and test annually in endemic areas due to nephritis risk