Companion Animals

Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs: Welfare and Prevention

Understanding the range of tick-transmitted diseases affecting dog welfare in the UK and abroad.

Key Facts

Lyme disease (Borrelia) is the most common tick-borne disease in UK dogs
Babesia canis is spreading in Europe — causes haemolytic anaemia
Ehrlichia and Anaplasma are significant threats to dogs abroad
Regular acaricidal treatment and tick removal within 24 hours prevents most infections

Welfare Considerations

Tick-borne diseases cause significant welfare compromise — fever, lameness, anaemia, and in some cases death. Prevention is more effective and welfare-friendly than treatment of established infection. Regular tick checks, prompt removal, and acaricidal preventives dramatically reduce risk. Dogs returning from continental Europe require specific Babesia awareness.

What You Can Do

Use veterinary-approved tick preventives year-round in tick-endemic areas
Check dogs after every walk in woodland, heath, and long grass
Remove attached ticks promptly using a proper tick removal tool — never squeeze or burn