Could Your Dog Have Lyme Disease? Recognize the Symptoms and Get Treatment
Key takeaways:
Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease that affects dogs. Symptoms include lameness, lethargy, joint stiffness, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, and fever.
It can be hard to detect, so take preventive measures to help your dog avoid tick bites and get your dog vaccinated if Lyme disease is prevalent in your area.
Lyme disease in dogs can be addressed with antibiotics, pain management, and other treatments.
Table of contents
Lyme disease in dogs is caused by an infected tick bite. Bacteria from the tick travels to different parts of a dog’s body. It then begins to affect specific organs or locations, such as joints.
It’s important to get your dog treatment if they show signs of Lyme. If Lyme disease is left untreated, it can cause serious health problems for your pup.
Read on to learn more about Lyme disease in dogs and how you can prevent it.
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What are the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs?
Many dogs exposed to Lyme disease don’t show any symptoms at first. But some dogs do show signs in the weeks to months after getting bitten.
Jamie Richardson, BVetMed, head of veterinary medicine at Small Door Veterinary in New York City, shares the following Lyme disease symptoms that pet parents need to watch out for.
Lameness: An inability to use one or more limbs is one of the most common symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs.
Swollen lymph nodes: Lymph nodes — found in the neck, chest, armpits, groin, and behind the knees — are typically the first areas on a dog to show swelling. Lymph node swelling indicates an immune response triggered in your dog’s body to fight the disease.
Joint swelling: Swollen joints, stiff walking, or not wanting to be touched may be other signs of the disease.
Fatigue: Dogs with Lyme disease may also show flu-like symptoms of low energy and lethargy.
Loss of appetite: Losing interest in eating, especially if it leads to weight loss, is another sign that your dog may have Lyme.
Fever: In addition to the above symptoms, your dog may have a fever caused by the Lyme disease infection.
Pets infected with Lyme disease will usually show symptoms 2 to 5 months after being infected.
How do dogs get Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is caused when the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi is given to your dog through a tick bite. The most common tick in the U.S. to transmit Lyme disease is the deer tick, also known as the black-legged deer tick.
Ticks live in forests, tall grasses, and marshy areas near bodies of water. They are out in full force during spring, summer, and fall. In places with mild winters, it’s not uncommon to encounter ticks year-round.
Tick removal tips: Detaching a tick from your pup’s skin can be tricky. Here’s your guide to removing ticks on dogs the right way.
Treatments to keep ticks at bay: Preventive medications can keep your dog safe from ticks. Read about your options, including oral and topical treatments, and medicated collars for dogs.
NexGard for Lyme prevention: This medication can help prevent Lyme disease in dogs. Learn more about NexGard here.
The deer tick, and other ticks that carry Lyme disease, are most common in the following regions of the country:
Southern New England states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
Eastern mid-Atlantic states, which include New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Upper Midwest states, specifically Wisconsin and Minnesota
West Coast areas, particularly Northern California
The CDC provides a map of Lyme disease cases throughout the years. You can look at cases in your state to better understand your dog’s risk.
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How is Lyme disease diagnosed in dogs?
Your veterinarian will diagnose Lyme disease based on your dog’s symptoms, history, and blood work. If there is a high rate of Lyme disease in your area, veterinarians typically suspect the disease if your dog has lameness and fever.
Blood work confirms the diagnosis, Richardson said, as it tests for “tick antibodies and rules out other potential causes of the symptoms your dog is experiencing.” Your veterinarian may also perform a joint tap to assess the fluid in your dog’s joints.
How is Lyme disease in dogs treated?
Treatment for Lyme disease in dogs consists of at least 4 weeks of antibiotics. Common antibiotics used to treat Lyme in dogs include:
Minocycline
Azithromycin
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Cefotaxime
Ceftriaxone
Cefovecin
Your veterinarian will prescribe antibiotics if your dog shows signs of Lyme disease or has a high level of antibodies, even without any symptoms.
“A second round of antibiotics might be required if the infection persists,” Richardson said.
In severe cases, further medical treatment of the kidneys, heart, or nerves may be needed. Your dog may also need supportive care, such as intravenous fluids.
To manage your pet’s pain, a veterinarian may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroids and restrict exercise.
How much does it cost to treat a dog for Lyme disease?
Lyme disease treatment in dogs depends on the severity of the disease. If it’s caught early, you may just spend money on your pet’s vet visit, blood work, follow-up visits, and antibiotics.
If the infection is severe, Richardson said, hospital care and supportive treatments can add up. “In this case, owners can expect to pay for the cost of the initial office visit, as well as diagnostic tests, hospitalization, follow-up visits, and medication,” Richardson said.
Does pet insurance cover Lyme disease treatment?
Pet health insurance may cover Lyme disease treatment if your pet is enrolled before the infection. Otherwise, it is likely considered a pre-existing condition and not eligible for coverage. Check your pet’s insurance policy to better understand what might be covered.
How can you prevent Lyme disease in dogs?
There are two ways to try to prevent Lyme disease in dogs — keeping your dog on regular tick preventive medications and getting them a Lyme disease vaccination.
Tick preventives
There are three types of tick medications for dogs: oral, topical, and collar. They are available over-the-counter or by prescription from a veterinarian.
Oral preventives come in a chewable tablet. Common brands include Bravecto, NexGard, and Simparica Trio.
Topical medications — such as Vectra 3D, Frontline Plus, and K9 Advantix II — are applied to your dog’s skin.
Tick collars fit snugly around your dog’s neck. The most common option, the Seresto collar, provides protection for up to 8 months.
These preventives must be given regularly to your dog, because their effectiveness expires. Check the medication label for recommended frequency. Most tick preventives are given once a month. Others, including Bravecto, only need to be given every 3 months.
Lyme disease vaccination
The goal of Lyme disease vaccination is to prevent the infection in dogs before any exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi. The vaccine includes a series of two shots, given 2 to 4 weeks apart, followed by annual boosters.
Consult with your veterinarian to determine if your dog needs the Lyme disease vaccination. Your veterinarian may recommend the vaccine if you live in a high-risk area or your dog spends a lot of time outside. Vaccination is often considered additional protection for dogs living in Lyme areas. But preventive medications are still important.
“The vaccine is not 100% effective,” Richardson said. “Preventative measures are still important — such as avoiding areas where ticks commonly live and checking your dog after walks.”
Quiz: What vaccines do dogs need?
How do you know if your dog has a tick bite?
The best way to know if your dog has a tick bite is by checking them for ticks. Some dogs who have a tick bite might not show obvious signs otherwise. But other dogs who get a tick bite may experience symptoms such as:
Scratching
Itching
Chewing or licking the bite site
Swelling at or around the bite site
Ticks can latch onto your dog while they play or walk outdoors. But your dog can also get ticks while spending time in the backyard.
How do you check your dog for ticks?
To check your dog for ticks, gently work your fingers through their fur and down to the skin. Feel for ticks or other bumps around their entire body. If you notice something off, part your dog’s fur, and do a visual check.
Ticks love attaching onto the following areas:
Soft areas behind (or inside) the ears
Face
Underside of the tail
In between the toes
Armpits
Under the collar
Groin
Use a tick comb to sift through the fur for unwanted bugs hitching a ride on your furry friend. If you find a tick on your pet, remove it using fine-tipped tweezers. There are also products available specifically for removing ticks. Grab the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible. Slowly pull straight up to remove the tick from your dog.
Frequently asked questions
It depends. Lyme disease in dogs can be treated and potentially cured with up to 4 weeks of antibiotics given daily. But some dogs are never fully cured, and they have symptoms for the rest of their lives.
No. Humans can’t get Lyme disease from dogs. Humans can only contract Lyme disease from a tick that carries the infection.
When left untreated, Lyme disease can become fatal in dogs. “It can ultimately result in heart or liver disease,” Richardson said. It also has the potential to affect the nervous system, leading to seizure disorders or facial paralysis, she said.
The bottom line
Lyme disease in dogs is caused by a bite from a tick carrying the Lyme disease bacteria. Deer ticks most commonly spread Lyme disease to dogs (and other animals). Lyme disease can lead to symptoms such as lameness, swollen joints, and appetite loss. But there are steps you can take to prevent infection. These include using regular tick preventive products on your dog and considering getting them the Lyme disease vaccine. If caught early, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics and pain management. Untreated Lyme disease in dogs can lead to serious health issues, such as seizure disorders, or even death.
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References
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Lyme disease in dogs.
Brooks, W. (2024). Lyme disease in dogs. Veterinary Partner.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Lyme disease case map.
Cohen, A. (n.d.). Lyme disease. Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center.
Fourie, J. J., et al. (2019). A study on the long-term efficacy of Seresto collars in preventing Babesia canis (Piana & Galli-Valerio, 1895) transmission to dogs by infected Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) ticks. Parasites & Vectors.
Littman, M. P., et al. (2014). Vaccinating dogs against Lyme disease: Two points of view. Today’s Veterinary Practice.
Littman, M. P., et al. (2018). ACVIM consensus update on Lyme borreliosis in dogs and cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Moon, A. (2023). Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme borreliosis in dogs: A case-based approach. Today’s Veterinary Practice.
Reif, K. E. (2020). Lyme disease in dogs: Signs and prevention. Today’s Veterinary Practice.
Small Door Veterinary. (n.d.). Dr. Jamie Richardson (she/her), BVetMed, USDA accredited.
Straubinger, R. K., et al. (2018). Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) in dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Ticks and Lyme disease: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
