Companion Animals

Dog Tick-Borne Disease Prevention and Welfare

Tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis cause significant welfare harm in dogs. Prevention through tick control and awareness of endemic areas is essential.

Key Facts

Lyme disease in dogs causes polyarthritis, lethargy and rarely fatal nephropathy
Babesia canis is present in parts of the UK in deer tick populations
Treatment with doxycycline is effective for most tick-borne bacterial diseases
Ticks must be attached for 24-48 hours to transmit most pathogens

Welfare Considerations

Tick-borne disease welfare prevention requires year-round tick prevention, prompt tick removal with appropriate tools, and awareness of endemic areas. Post-walk tick checks particularly in tick-prone areas are a welfare best practice.

What You Can Do

Use veterinary-prescribed tick prevention year-round, especially in rural areas
Remove ticks promptly with a proper tick removal tool - never squeeze the body
Vaccinate dogs against Lyme disease if travelling to or living in endemic areas