Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Lyme Disease Welfare UK

Lyme disease is becoming more prevalent in the UK as tick populations expand and dog walkers access tick-rich habitats more frequently.

Key Facts

Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted by Ixodes ticks
The UK now has approximately 1,000-2,000 human and many more animal cases per year
Dogs show lameness, fever, lethargy and occasionally kidney disease from Lyme infection
Prompt tick removal within 24-48 hours dramatically reduces infection transmission risk
No licensed Lyme disease vaccine is currently available in the UK for dogs

Welfare Considerations

Lyme disease causes significant acute and chronic welfare harm in affected dogs. Prevention through effective tick control products and prompt removal of attached ticks remains the primary management strategy in the absence of a UK-licensed vaccine.

What You Can Do

Apply veterinary-prescribed tick prevention products consistently in tick endemic areas
Check dogs thoroughly after walks in tick-risk habitat and remove ticks promptly
Seek veterinary assessment for dogs showing lameness or fever after tick exposure