Protecting Your Dog from Lyme Disease and Ticks
Ticks are a growing concern for pet owners in Canada, especially in southern Ontario, where warmer temperatures and expanding tick ranges have increased the risk of Lyme disease. Two species of blacklegged ticks, the eastern blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus), can carry the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease in both humans and animals. As blacklegged ticks are carried by migratory birds there is risk of encountering an infected tick anywhere in Ontario.
Once limited to specific regions, ticks are now more common throughout the province. Any dog that spends time outdoors is at risk. Lyme disease develops after a bite from an infected tick, but signs such as fever, lameness, swollen joints, and decreased appetite often don’t appear for several months. In rare cases, the disease can lead to serious kidney complications.
It’s important to note that not all blacklegged ticks are infected, and not every bite leads to illness. Routine heartworm tests often include screening for B. burgdorferi antibodies, which indicate exposure but not necessarily active disease. Your veterinarian will guide you if your dog tests positive, depending on their health status and symptoms.
Preventing Lyme Disease
To protect your dog, a multi-step prevention plan is key:
• Environmental control: Keep grass trimmed, remove yard debris, and avoid areas known for high tick populations.
• Daily tick checks: Especially after outdoor activities, examine your dog for ticks.
• Veterinary-prescribed preventives: Use veterinary-prescribed tick prevention medications. As ticks are active in temperatures above 4°C, it is important to discuss year-round preventive with your veterinarian. Avoid over-the-counter products that may be ineffective or harmful, especially to cats.
• Vaccination: For active dogs at higher risk, a Lyme vaccine may be recommended. However, this is not a replacement for tick checks and regular preventives.
How to Remove a Tick
If you find a tick on your dog:
1. Use tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible.
2. Pull steadily and gently upward without twisting or squeezing.
3. Dispose of the tick in alcohol, a sealed bag, or by flushing it.
4. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling.
If you're unsure about removing a tick, contact your veterinary clinic but act quickly. The sooner a tick is removed, the lower the risk of disease transmission.
Ticks are here to stay, but with the right preventive care, you can keep your dog safe and healthy all year long.
Check out these resources to find established risk areas:
Etick Map
