Companion Animal Welfare

Companion Dog Canine Lyme Disease Welfare

Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi is an increasingly common tick-borne disease in dogs causing lameness, lethargy, and kidney disease. Prevention through tick control and vaccination is most effective.

Key Facts

Lyme disease is endemic in many upland and woodland areas across the UK
Clinical Lyme disease causes joint pain, lethargy, and in some cases fatal kidney disease
Tick prevention through regular acaricide application significantly reduces infection risk
A Lyme disease vaccine is available in the UK for dogs in endemic areas
Lyme-associated nephropathy requires intensive treatment and has a guarded prognosis

Welfare Considerations

Lyme disease causes significant welfare suffering through joint pain, systemic illness, and potentially fatal kidney disease. The welfare tragedy of Lyme-associated nephropathy, which can be fatal within days despite intensive treatment, is preventable through effective tick control. Combined vaccination and tick prevention provides the most comprehensive welfare protection for dogs in endemic areas.

What You Can Do

Apply tick prevention treatments regularly for dogs exercised in tick habitat
Discuss Lyme disease vaccination with your vet for dogs in endemic areas
Check dogs for ticks after walks in endemic areas and remove promptly