Canine Lyme Borreliosis Welfare and Prevention

Lyme disease from tick-transmitted Borrelia bacteria causes joint pain, lethargy, and kidney disease in dogs. Prevention through tick control is far more effective than treatment.

Key Facts

Lyme disease is transmitted by Ixodes ticks that must be attached for 24-48 hours
UK cases are concentrated in Scotland, Wales, the South West, and areas of woodland or moorland
Signs include lameness, lethargy, fever, and in severe cases fatal protein-losing nephropathy
Diagnosis requires serology combined with clinical signs for accuracy
Tick prevention with acaricide products is highly effective at preventing transmission

Welfare Considerations

Lyme borreliosis causes significant joint pain and systemic illness that impairs mobility and quality of life. Protein-losing nephropathy, a severe kidney complication, is life-threatening and often fatal. Early antibiotic treatment resolves most early cases but renal complications may be irreversible. Monthly tick prevention products applied consistently, combined with tick checking after walks in known tick habitats, prevent the majority of infections. Vaccination is available in the USA but not yet licensed in the UK.

What You Can Do

Apply tick prevention treatments year-round for dogs in high-risk areas
Check dogs for ticks after walks in woodland, moorland, or grassland
Remove ticks promptly using a tick removal hook to reduce transmission risk
Consult your vet if your dog develops lameness or lethargy after time in tick habitat