Life in Surrey and throughout the Pacific Northwest of British Columbia often means taking advantage of every chance to be outdoors — from neighbourhood walks and forested trails to time spent near the water — with our dogs close by and, in some households, curious cats as well. As spring arrives and days grow warmer, tick activity increases along with the time pets spend outside. That seasonal overlap raises the risk of exposure to ticks, some of which can carry Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.
May is Lyme Disease Awareness & Prevention Month, a timely reminder that tick exposure affects both people and pets, and that prevention and early recognition play an important role in protecting the whole family. Staying informed about Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses helps pet owners take practical, everyday steps — and recognise when something doesn’t seem quite right — so time outdoors can stay focused on enjoying the moment, not worrying about what might be missed.
Lyme Disease in Canada and British Columbia: Understanding the Landscape
Lyme disease is an emerging concern across Canada. According to Government of Canada surveillance data, more than 27,000 human cases were reported nationally between 2009 and 2024, reflecting expanding tick ranges and increased awareness and testing.
In British Columbia, reported rates of Lyme disease have remained lower and relatively stable compared with eastern provinces. This is partly due to differences in local tick species and infection rates. However, ticks capable of carrying Lyme disease and other pathogens are present in southern BC, including areas frequented by pets in the Lower Mainland.
For pet owners, this means Lyme disease may be less common here than elsewhere in Canada, but it remains relevant — especially for pets that spend time outdoors in tick habitat.
How Lyme Disease Is Transmitted to Pets
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted when an infected tick feeds on a host. Ticks generally must be attached and feeding for 24–36 hours before transmission occurs, which is why daily tick checks and prompt removal are essential to reducing risk.
Signs of Lyme Disease in Dogs: What You Might Notice
Dogs are more likely than cats to develop clinical Lyme disease, but not all exposed dogs show symptoms. When signs do develop, they may appear days to weeks after a tick bite and can include:
- Limping or shifting lameness (pain that may move from leg to leg)
- Swollen or painful joints
- Fever, lethargy, or decreased appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes
In some dogs, Lyme disease can trigger immune-mediated complications, meaning the body’s immune response contributes to inflammation or tissue damage. One of the more serious potential complications involves the kidneys and may require advanced diagnostic testing and long-term management.
At BBVSH, these patterns — especially persistent, recurrent, or multi-system signs — are important clues in evaluating potential tick-borne disease.
Lyme Disease and Cats: What Pet Owners Should Know
Cats can be exposed to ticks and may test positive for exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi, but documented clinical illness in cats is uncommon. Many exposed cats may never show clear signs of disease or may develop vague symptoms such as lethargy or lameness.
Because cats often groom frequently and tend to carry fewer ticks, their overall risk appears lower than that of dogs. Still, tick prevention and monitoring remain important for cats that spend time outdoors.
Preventing Lyme Disease in Pets: Medications and Everyday Strategies
Like many families in our community, prevention often comes down to consistent routines — what products are used, what changes are noticed, and how regularly pets are checked after time outside.
Tick-Control Medications
Veterinary-approved tick-control products, including oral and topical options, are designed to kill or repel ticks before they can transmit disease. Different products work in different ways, which is why recommendations are tailored to each pet’s health, lifestyle, and exposure risk.
The BC SPCA also encourages pet owners to work with their veterinarian to choose appropriate prevention and to perform daily tick checks during tick season.
Daily Tick Checks and Environmental Awareness
- Check pets daily after outdoor activity
- Focus on ears, neck, under collars or harnesses, armpits, groin, between toes, and along the belly
- Be mindful of tall grass, brush, and wooded areas where ticks are more likely to be found
Tick Removal: What to Do at Home and When to Seek Veterinary Help
Even with good prevention, ticks can occasionally attach. Proper removal reduces the chance of disease transmission and helps prevent local irritation or infection.
At-home removal should be done using fine-tipped tweezers or a tick tool:
- Grasp the tick close to the skin, where the mouthparts enter
- Pull straight upwards with steady pressure
- Avoid twisting or crushing the tick
- Clean the bite site and your hands afterwards
Veterinary assistance is recommended if the tick cannot be completely removed, mouthparts remain embedded, or your pet develops fever, lameness, or lethargy after a tick bite.
Additional resources for pet owners:
- BC SPCA – Tick precautions for pets
- American Lyme Disease Foundation – Tick identification and information
- American Kennel Club – How to remove a tick from your dog
Diagnosing and Treating Lyme Disease in Pets
Diagnosis involves a combination of exposure history, physical examination, and screening tests. A positive test indicates exposure, but treatment decisions are guided by whether a pet is showing clinical signs.
When treatment is needed, antibiotics are typically prescribed, and many dogs improve quickly when joint pain or fever is present. More complex cases may require additional diagnostics and monitoring.
When Lyme Disease Requires Board-Certified Internal Medicine Care
While many cases of Lyme disease are managed successfully with early treatment, referral to a board-certified internal medicine specialist may be appropriate when:
- Clinical signs persist or recur despite treatment
- There is concern for kidney, neurologic, or systemic complications
- Diagnostic findings suggest immune-mediated or multi-organ involvement
Board-certified internal medicine specialists focus on how disease affects the body as a whole, using advanced diagnostics to guide complex care. At BBVSH, our board-certified internal medicine specialists work closely with primary care veterinarians throughout Surrey, Vancouver, and the Lower Mainland to support pets that need deeper evaluation.
Side Note: Ticks in BC Can Carry More Than Lyme Disease
Ticks can transmit several diseases that affect pets, many of which share similar early signs such as fever, lethargy, and joint pain. Depending on species and location, pets in southern BC may be exposed to:
- Anaplasmosis — infection of blood cells and joints
- Ehrlichiosis — can suppress the immune system
- Tick paralysis — caused by toxins in tick saliva; rare but serious
In British Columbia, the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is the primary species associated with Lyme disease on the West Coast.
Because many tick-borne diseases overlap in their early signs, diagnostic testing is often necessary when pets become ill after tick exposure.
A Community-Focused Reminder for Tick Season
Living in the Lower Mainland means sharing outdoor spaces with wildlife — and with ticks. With prevention, daily checks, and early attention to subtle changes, most families can enjoy the season with confidence. And when symptoms persist, don’t fit the usual pattern, or involve more than one body system, advanced evaluation can make a meaningful difference.
BBVSH is here to support pets, families, and referring veterinarians throughout Surrey, Vancouver, and the Lower Mainland.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lyme Disease, Ticks, and Pets in British Columbia
What is Lyme disease in pets?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. It can affect pets, particularly dogs, and may cause joint pain, fever, and lethargy. Some pets may be exposed without showing symptoms.
Is Lyme disease common in British Columbia?
Lyme disease is less common in British Columbia than in some other parts of Canada, but it is still present. Government of Canada data show that ticks capable of carrying Lyme disease and other pathogens are found in southern BC, including areas where pets spend time outdoors.
Why is May important for Lyme disease awareness?
May is Lyme Disease Awareness & Prevention Month, which highlights the importance of preventing tick exposure and recognising early signs of tick-borne illness in both people and pets—especially as outdoor activity increases in spring.
How do pets get Lyme disease?
Pets get Lyme disease when an infected tick attaches and feeds on them. Ticks generally need to be attached for 24–36 hours before transmission occurs, which is why daily tick checks and prompt removal are so important.
What are the signs of Lyme disease in dogs?
Signs of Lyme disease in dogs may include:
- Limping or shifting lameness
- Swollen or painful joints
- Fever
- Lethargy or decreased appetite
- Swollen lymph nodes
In some cases, Lyme disease can lead to immune-mediated complications or kidney involvement, which may require advanced medical care.
Can cats get Lyme disease?
Cats can be exposed to ticks and may test positive for exposure to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, but documented illness in cats is uncommon. Many cats show no clear symptoms, though tick prevention is still important—especially for outdoor cats.
How can I prevent Lyme disease in my pet?
Prevention focuses on:
- Using veterinarian-approved tick-control medications
- Performing daily tick checks after outdoor activity
- Being mindful of tall grass, brush, and wooded areas
Veterinary recommendations are tailored to each pet’s health, lifestyle, and exposure risk.
Where should I check my pet for ticks?
Common places ticks attach include:
- Ears and neck
- Under collars or harnesses
- Armpits and groin
- Between toes
- Along the belly
Checking these areas daily helps reduce the risk of disease transmission.
What should I do if I find a tick on my pet?
If you find a tick:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick tool
- Grasp the tick close to the skin
- Pull straight upwards with steady pressure
- Avoid twisting or crushing the tick
- Clean the bite site and your hands afterwards
Contact your veterinarian if the tick cannot be fully removed or if your pet develops symptoms after a tick bite.
When should I seek veterinary care after a tick bite?
Veterinary care is recommended if:
- The tick cannot be completely removed
- Mouthparts remain embedded
- Your pet develops fever, lameness, or lethargy
- Symptoms persist or worsen after a tick bite
How is Lyme disease diagnosed in pets?
Diagnosis involves reviewing tick exposure history, performing a physical examination, and using screening tests. A positive test shows exposure, but treatment decisions depend on whether the pet has clinical signs.
How is Lyme disease treated in dogs?
When treatment is needed, antibiotics are typically prescribed. Many dogs show improvement in joint pain or fever after starting treatment. More complex cases may require additional testing and monitoring.
When is referral to a board-certified internal medicine specialist recommended?
Referral may be appropriate when:
- Signs persist or recur despite treatment
- There is concern for kidney, neurologic, or systemic complications
- Diagnostic findings suggest immune-mediated or multi-organ involvement
Board-certified internal medicine specialists focus on how disease affects the whole body and use advanced diagnostics to guide care.
Do ticks in British Columbia carry other diseases besides Lyme disease?
Yes. Ticks in BC can transmit other diseases, including:
- Anaplasmosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Tick paralysis (rare but serious)
These conditions can cause overlapping signs such as fever, lethargy, and joint pain, which is why diagnostic testing is often needed.
What tick species is associated with Lyme disease in British Columbia?
In British Columbia, the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is the primary species associated with Lyme disease on the West Coast.
Why is tick prevention important even if Lyme disease is less common in BC?
Although Lyme disease is less common in BC than in other regions, ticks are present and can transmit multiple diseases. Preventive care, daily checks, and early attention to symptoms help keep pets healthy and reduce the risk of serious illness.
