Preventing Lyme Disease: What You Can Do to Protect Your Furry Friend

Lyme Disease in Dogs. How to Prevent and Protect

Lyme disease is an often overlooked but dangerous condition that can be deadly for your dog. Now that the weather is getting warmer, it’s a great time to take steps to protect your furry friend from this disease. Lyme disease is spread by ticks, but there are ways to decrease the risks of getting those nasty tick bites. Keep reading for helpful tips on keeping your dog safe from Lyme disease this summer.

1. Maintain careful walking areas

   Ticks are usually found in dense, wooded areas. Things like tall grass, weeds, and thick brush provide the perfect shield for ticks to live and wait for their next victims. Ticks can stretch out on grass or limbs, waiting for your dog to walk past. To avoid this, try walking your dog on sidewalks or in the center of walking trails where the grass is shorter.

2. Vaccinate your dog

   Annual vaccines are available for Lyme disease. Your veterinarian can help you decide if a vaccination is right for your pet. Medications are also helpful for preventing ticks. Some medicines are taken orally, like NexGard chews, and some get applied to the dog’s skin, like Bravecto. Talk to your vet about the best approach for your pet.

3. Decrease exposure

   Your dogs may spend a lot of time in your backyard, which exposes them to ticks. Try to minimize the exposure by keeping your grass cut and bushes trimmed. The yard should get mowed frequently. Keeping a clean area for your dog to play in will help you create a safer environment with fewer chances of tick bites.

4. Look for signs of ticks

   Check your dog for ticks frequently, especially during warmer weather when the grass grows faster. If you live in a wooded area, you may want to check your pet every day. Ticks are masters at hiding, so look inside ears, between toes, under tails and collars, and on stomachs. Ticks can be brown, tan, or black and range in size.

5. Know how to remove ticks

   If your pet has a tick, knowing how to remove one correctly is crucial. You want to act quickly to avoid disease transmission. It only takes a few hours for a tick to transmit Lyme disease to your pup. One of the best methods for tick removal is to use tweezers, grabbing as close to your dog’s skin as possible. Pull the tick out slowly and ensure that all parts of the tick get removed. Clean the wound with an antiseptic, and always clean the tweezers after use with alcohol. Flush the tick down the toilet.

Signs of Lyme disease

One tick bite can transmit Lyme disease to your dog. If you see symptoms like fever, reduced energy, lethargy, swelling, or loss of appetite, these may be signs of Lyme disease. You should take your pet to the veterinarian to get checked immediately. Time matters with Lyme disease, and the faster you act, the sooner you can get your pup on the road to recovery from a nasty tick bite. We know summer means more outdoor fun for you and your four-legged friend, and we want you to enjoy it without the worry of tick bites. With our tips, you and your pup can enjoy this season together, spending as much time outdoors as you want.

More Info: What is Lyme Disease for Dogs?

Lyme disease is an illness caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi that is commonly transmitted through certain ticks. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) , around 5% to 10% of infected dogs eventually develop signs of illness that can be severe, especially if left untreated.

This disease can be hard to diagnose so it's highly encouraged to have preventative measures in place by avoiding tick bites, properly removing ticks, and giving them lyme disease vaccines for protection.

How much do Lyme vaccines for dogs cost?

The average cost of a single dose lyme disease vaccine for dogs can range from $30-60, but these prices vary from one store to another, also depending on the location, brand, and dosing.

Jeffers’ offers features trusted brands from Merck, Zoetis and Elanco, with prices starting from $18. Explore more options from our Lyme Vaccine & Meds for Pets today.

How often is the Lyme vaccine given to dogs? What is the Lyme vaccine for dogs schedule?

The typical Lyme vaccine schedule for dogs starts with two initial doses administered 2 to 4 weeks apart, followed by a single annual booster shot for dogs in high-risk areas. Puppies can begin the initial series as early as 12 weeks of age, with the second dose given 3 to 4 weeks later.

Annual boosters are administered one year after the initial doses are completed, then maintained once a year from there.

If your dog is overdue for its yearly booster by more than a month, your vet may recommend restarting the two-dose initial series from scratch.

What are the odds of a dog getting Lyme disease from a tick?

The odds of a dog getting Lyme disease from a tick are low, but it depends on factors like how long the tick is attached and if it's an infected tick. While a high percentage of dogs are exposed to ticks, only about 5% to 10% of dogs with a Lyme-infected tick bite will go on to develop symptoms.

The transmission risk is significantly lowered if the tick is removed within 24 to 48 hours, as this is the estimated time it takes for the bacteria to transmit.

Dogs are at a higher risk and more vulnerable when they spend a lot of time in wooded, bushy, or grassy areas as well as those that are not vaccinated or are not on year-round tick prevention.

What are the side effects of the Lyme vaccine for dogs?

Common side effects of the Lyme vaccine for dogs include mild, temporary symptoms like soreness at the injection site, lethargy, reduced appetite, and a low-grade fever.

Mild side effects of Lyme vaccine in dogs

• Soreness or swelling at the injection site
• Lethargy or fatigue
• Reduced appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Digestive issues or nausea

Severe side effects of Lyme vaccine in dogs

• Facial swelling
• Hives
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing or severe coughing
• Collapse
• Restlessness or trembling

Monitor your dog closely for 24-48 hours after vaccination. Contact a veterinarian immediately if your dog experiences any severe symptoms.

What the advantages of giving your dogs Lyme vaccine?

Advantages of giving Lyme vaccine to your dogs and cats:

• It reduces the risk of infection- The vaccine helps your dog's immune system fight off the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
• It lessens the likeliness of severe symptoms- Even if a vaccinated dog does get infected, the vaccine can decrease the severity of clinical signs and long-term complications, such as the rare but serious Lyme nephritis (kidney disease).
• It complements other preventatives- The vaccine adds another layer of protection when used in combination with tick preventatives like topical treatments, collars, or oral medications.
• It's more cost-effective compared to treatment- Preventing Lyme disease is significantly more cost-effective than treating a full-blown infection, which can involve expensive diagnostics, long courses of antibiotics, and supportive care for severe complications like kidney failure.
• It improves recovery if ever infected- Even if a vaccinated dog contracts Lyme disease, the immune system is primed to better fight the infection, which can lead to less severe symptoms and a better response to treatment compared to an unvaccinated dog.

Where can I buy Lyme disease vaccines for dogs?

Our top recommendations for the best Lyme vaccine for dogs are available online at Jeffers!

1. TruCan Lyme Vaccine for Dogs 

   TruCan Lyme Dog Vaccine is a proven defense against Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. It’s specifically formulated for dogs 9 weeks of age and older, ensuring they are protected from this serious tick-borne illness. With a minimum duration of immunity of 12 months, it provides lasting protection.

2. Nobivac Lyme Disease Vaccine 

   Nobivac Lyme bacterin is for the vaccination of healthy dogs as an aid in the prevention of clinical disease and subclinical arthritis associated with Borrelia burgdorferi. Contains two inactivated isolates of Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme).

3. Zoetis Lyme Rapid Test Kit 

   The VETSCAN Canine Lyme Antibody Rapid Test is an easy-to-use, visual rapid test for detecting antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in whole blood, serum, or plasma at the point of care.