Lyme Disease in Dogs: Signs, Ticks and When to Call Your Vet

Lyme disease in dogs is a bacterial infection spread by ticks, also called borreliosis, and the PDSA says it can affect several parts of the body and cause a variety of signs. It is found in UK dogs, and most cases respond well to treatment. Limping, fever or a tired, flat dog after a tick bite is a reason to speak to your vet.

At a glance

• What it is: a tick-borne bacterial infection that can affect joints, kidneys, heart and the nervous system.
• Who it affects: dogs and people; the PDSA says it is very rare in cats.
• Urgency: soon. Book a vet appointment as soon as possible if your dog has signs, especially after a tick.
• Vet needed? Yes, for testing and treatment.

Signs to look for

The PDSA describes the signs as vague, and they can come and go. They include limping and swollen joints, fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, reduced appetite, nerve problems, and drinking and weeing more. Dogs usually don’t get the bullseye rash people sometimes get.

The Dogs Trust adds that signs can appear after the tick has already dropped off, so it is worth watching your dog for a while after any bite. Limping has plenty of other causes too, including arthritis, so let your vet sort out which it is.

Causes and risk factors

Dogs catch Lyme disease from an infected tick, and the PDSA says the risk comes when the tick stays on to feed for several hours. The Dogs Trust describes ticks as usually feeding for a few days before dropping off, which it says is long enough to spread disease. Neither gives an exact safe window, so it is sensible to check your dog regularly. The PDSA puts the share of UK ticks carrying Borrelia at about 1.5%.

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) reports that Lyme borreliosis is one of only two tick-borne diseases considered endemic in the UK (the other is anaplasmosis), and that in its study of UK dogs most affected dogs had travelled, except those with Lyme or anaplasmosis. The Dogs Trust suggests avoiding places where ticks hang out and checking your dog before and after walks, and the PDSA adds regular parasite control that covers ticks. Our page on ticks on dogs covers this in more detail.

When to call your vet

The PDSA says to book an appointment with your vet as soon as possible if your dog shows any of the signs above, especially if you’ve recently found a tick. The Dogs Trust also says to speak to your vet if you’re worried about a tick, can’t remove it, or the head is left in the skin. Our vets database can help if you need a practice. If you find a tick on yourself, the PDSA says to contact your doctor or the NHS, and that people can only catch Lyme disease from tick bites, not from their pets.

How vets diagnose it

According to the PDSA, your vet will consider the signs and your dog’s tick history, and may run a blood test. The PDSA is upfront that these tests are not always 100% accurate, so a vet may weigh up the whole picture rather than rely on one result.

What vets generally do about it

Treatment is decided by your vet. The PDSA says most cases respond well to a course of antibiotics, usually lasting several weeks and needing to be finished, with pain relief for joint inflammation. The PDSA says improvements are usually seen within 24 to 48 hours of starting antibiotics. Severe cases may need hospital care. Most pets recover well, but relapses are possible, and the outlook is poorer for dogs with severe signs or complications such as kidney failure (see kidney disease in dogs).

Living with it and prevention

After treatment, keep an eye out for returning signs and tell your vet if they come back. For prevention, the PDSA suggests regular parasite control that covers ticks, a tick collar in high-risk areas, avoiding long grass in warmer months and checking your dog after walks. The PDSA says ticks are most often found on the head, ears, armpits and belly. The RSPCA and Dogs Trust both recommend asking your vet which tick treatment suits your dog, and the RSPCA warns never to use dog tick products on cats.

If you do find a tick, the Dogs Trust says to slide a tick-removal tool under it as close to the skin as possible and gently twist two or three times without pulling upwards. It says never to pull, crush, squeeze or burn a tick. If you’re unsure, speak to your vet first. Treatment and tests can add up, so it’s worth reading our pet insurance guide.

Related conditions

• Ticks on dogs
• Arthritis in dogs
• Kidney disease in dogs
• Lungworm in dogs

You can browse every condition in the dog illnesses and conditions A to Z.

Sources

• PDSA, Lyme disease in dogs and cats
• Dogs Trust, Ticks on dogs: what you need to know
• RSPCA, Ticks on Dogs and Cats
• BSAVA, New study finds non-endemic tick-borne diseases in UK dogs

This page is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, speak to your vet. Written by Georgiana & Figo, who are dog owners, not vets. Have a look around Calmshops for everyday dog essentials.