As ticks and other disease-carrying insects become increasingly prevalent across the United States, dog owners are growing more concerned about safeguarding their furry friends from Lyme disease. Lyme disease is typically transmitted to both dogs and humans through the bites of blacklegged ticks and can lead to severe symptoms and health issues.
We’ve collaborated with Cynthia Lopez, the editor of Pet Life Today, to provide essential information on Lyme Disease in dogs, covering prevention, symptoms, and treatment options.
Understanding Lyme Disease Lyme disease, or borreliosis, is a potentially life-threatening inflammatory condition caused by a microscopic organism found in the gut of ticks. The ticks responsible for Lyme disease are the blacklegged ticks, also known as Eastern (Ixodes scapularis) and Western (Ixodes pacificus) blacklegged ticks. This ailment stands as the most common tick-borne disease in the United States and can be transmitted from ticks to both dogs and humans.
It is crucial to note that encountering a tick doesn’t automatically result in contracting Lyme disease. However, it’s recommended to undergo testing if you or your pets come into contact with a blacklegged tick.
Tick Populations on the Rise Tick populations are increasing in various regions across the U.S. Ticks and disease-carrying insects are more prevalent in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, North-Central states (like Wisconsin and Minnesota), and the West Coast (especially Northern California). These pests flourish in areas offering favorable habitats, such as shady, moist ground cover, as well as aboveground locations like grass, shrubs, brush, and low-hanging tree branches. These areas often host their preferred hosts, deer and mice.
If you reside in an area with a high tick population, it’s essential to take precautions to prevent Lyme disease in your dog. The question arises: is vaccination the most effective approach?
Canine Lyme Disease Vaccination If you’ve had dogs or puppies before, you’re likely familiar with routine puppy vaccination schedules and the essential core vaccines required for your dog. These core vaccines, such as those against rabies, canine distemper virus, and canine parvovirus, protect against severe and often life-threatening viral diseases. Veterinarians strongly recommend core vaccines for puppies and adult dogs.
The Lyme disease vaccine, however, is categorized as a non-core vaccine. Non-core vaccines are not as universally recommended by veterinarians. However, depending on your geographical location, you may find more veterinarians suggesting the canine Lyme disease vaccine. Other non-core vaccinations may also be suggested based on the specific risks present in your region.
Research indicates that the Lyme disease vaccine is moderately effective (though not 100% effective) in preventing the disease in dogs that haven’t been previously exposed to the Lyme organism. It’s important to mention that the Lyme disease vaccine does not offer protection against other tick- or insect-borne infections.
Like any pet vaccine, the Lyme disease vaccine may have potential side effects. In less than 2% of cases, dogs may experience swelling at the vaccination site, facial swelling, itchiness, hives, and, less commonly, collapse. If you live in an area where ticks and Lyme disease are prevalent, consider consulting your veterinarian about the Lyme disease vaccination.
Overall, all veterinarians agree that tick control should be a top priority for dog owners. Aside from the canine Lyme vaccine, there are numerous safe and effective measures you can take to minimize your dog’s risk of tick bites and Lyme disease.
Tick and Lyme Disease Prevention for Dogs The only surefire way to prevent Lyme disease in dogs is to shield them from tick bites. While it’s impractical to keep your dog indoors at all times, especially in tick-prone areas, ticks can still enter your home by hitching rides on clothing, shoes, or other hosts. Ticks are most active from October to March, but they can be active year-round whenever temperatures stay above freezing. Hence, year-long vigilance is essential.
If your dog doesn’t frequently explore wooded areas, especially if you live in a region with low blacklegged tick activity, the risk of contracting Lyme disease is significantly reduced. However, if your dog is exposed to blacklegged ticks, the risk of infection is elevated.
For dogs that spend time outdoors, there are multiple prevention methods available. You can opt for tick repellent sprays, flea and tick dog collars, or oral flea and tick preventatives like NexGard Chewables. Over-the-counter flea and tick shampoos are also available, though they often contain harsh ingredients and should be used sparingly and with caution.
Remember to regularly check your dog for ticks, particularly after outdoor play in heavily wooded or grassy areas. If you want to be extra cautious, inspect your dog thoroughly for ticks every time they enter your home, and immediately remove any ticks found using appropriate methods (outlined below). Swift tick removal (within 48 hours of the bite) reduces the risk of Lyme disease transmission.
Proper Tick Removal Conducting preventive measures is essential, but you should also regularly inspect your dog’s skin and fur for ticks. To safely remove a tick, you’ll need surgical gloves, a tick removal tool (or tweezers if a tick remover isn’t available), isopropyl alcohol, and a pet-safe antiseptic cream or disinfectant.
To safely remove a tick using tweezers:
- Hold the tick with tweezers as close to your dog’s skin as possible without pinching the skin.
- Gently and steadily pull the tick straight out of the skin.
- If you have a tick remover:
a. Gently press the tool against your dog’s skin near the embedded tick. b. Slide the notch of the tool under the tick, which will dislodge it from your pet’s skin.
Once you’ve removed the tick, place it in a clean container with isopropyl alcohol, grain alcohol, or 180-proof vodka. Be sure to mark it with the date; this can be helpful for testing and identification if your dog begins displaying Lyme disease symptoms.
