As spring and summer arrive, outdoor adventures with our pets become more frequent—but so do the risks posed by ticks. These tiny parasites are more than just a nuisance: they can transmit serious illnesses like Lyme disease. While British Columbia has a relatively low incidence of Lyme-positive ticks, awareness and prevention remain essential, especially as warmer weather makes ticks active even at temperatures as low as 4°C. 

At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital (BBVSH), our board-certified internal medicine specialists are trained to recognize, diagnose, and treat complex infectious diseases like Lyme disease. We asked our team to give us some tips about how Lyme disease affects pets, how to prevent it, and what steps to take if you suspect infection. 

Understanding Lyme Disease 

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick—most commonly the deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Once bitten, a tick must remain attached for approximately 12–24 hours to pass the infection to its host. 

Dogs are particularly susceptible to Lyme disease, although natural infections in cats have not been reported. Once the bacterium enters a dog’s bloodstream, it can spread to various tissues, especially the joints and kidneys.

Where Does Lyme Disease Occur? 

Deer ticks are found throughout Canada, with the highest concentrations in eastern provinces like Ontario. While less than one percent of ticks tested in British Columbia carry Borrelia burgdorferi, occasional cases of Lyme disease do occur in pets who have traveled or who frequent wooded or grassy areas. Knowing the signs is key to early detection and treatment. 

Signs and Symptoms in Dogs 

Lyme disease can be difficult to detect because signs may not appear for several weeks after a tick bite. When symptoms do occur, they often include: 

• Lameness or stiffness in multiple joints 

• Swollen joints and discomfort when walking 

• Fever and lethargy 

• Decreased appetite 

• Generalized pain or sensitivity 

More severe cases may involve kidney complications. In some dogs, antibodies produced in response to Lyme exposure can damage kidney function—sometimes without outward signs until advanced disease has developed. Cardiac and neurological symptoms, while less common, are also possible. 

If kidney involvement is suspected, timely monitoring and medical management are critical to prevent serious long-term damage. 

Diagnosing Lyme Disease 

If your pet shows signs such as joint pain, fever, or sudden lameness, your veterinarian may recommend testing for Lyme disease. Diagnostic steps may include: 

• A rapid antibody test performed in-clinic (ideally 4+ weeks after a potential tick exposure) 

• Additional bloodwork to assess for chronic infection or systemic involvement 

It’s important to note that long-term infections may produce low antibody levels, potentially making some cases harder to confirm through routine screening. 

Treating Lyme Disease 

Fortunately, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics—most commonly doxycycline or amoxicillin—for a typical course of four weeks. In many cases, symptoms resolve within a few days of starting treatment. 

However, because the organism can linger undetected in the body, dogs may continue to test positive for antibodies long after the infection is treated. Recurrence of symptoms may indicate either reinfection or incomplete treatment. 

If your dog tests positive but is asymptomatic, your veterinarian will help determine whether treatment is needed based on clinical signs and risk assessment. 

Prevention: Your Best Defense 

When it comes to Lyme disease, the best treatment is prevention. The key to reducing risk is minimizing tick exposure and using proven, veterinarian-recommended products to protect your pet. 

Here are the most effective strategies: 

• Keep pets on-leash in wooded or grassy areas, and stick to clear, well-maintained trails. Ticks do not jump or fly—they wait near the tips of grass, leaves, and low shrubs and crawl onto an animal when it brushes past. Staying on open trails makes it much harder for ticks to access your pet.

• Perform daily tick checks after walks, hikes, or outdoor play—especially in the spring, summer, and fall. Ticks often hide in warm, protected areas like the ears, between the toes, under the tail, around the eyes, lips, and under the collar.  

• Talk to your veterinarian about tick prevention options. There are many safe and effective products available, including oral and topical medications. These are typically administered monthly and should be used consistently. Prescription products tend to offer more reliable protection than over-the-counter alternatives. 

• Consider Lyme vaccination if your dog lives in or travels to an area where Lyme-positive ticks are common. Your veterinarian can help determine whether the vaccine is a good fit for your pet’s lifestyle and exposure risk. 

Although no preventative measure is foolproof, combining daily tick checks, environmental awareness, and veterinary-recommended preventives significantly lowers your pet’s risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. 

NOTE: Lyme disease isn’t the only thing ticks can carry – other diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and anaplasmosis can be contracted through ticks. We can’t emphasize enough the importance of checking for ticks regularly after walking outdoors! 

What to Do If You Find a Tick on Your Dog 

• If you find a tick on your dog, remove it right away using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward steadily to avoid leaving mouthparts behind. If you’re unsure how to remove a tick safely, contact your veterinarian for assistance.

 

For additional tick removal tips, visit: 

• American Lyme Disease Foundation – All About Ticks 

• AKC Guide to Removing Ticks from Dogs 

When to Contact a Veterinary Specialist 

If your pet tests positive for Lyme disease, has persistent symptoms, or shows signs of complications involving the kidneys or nervous system, referral to a veterinary internal medicine specialist may be appropriate. 

At BBVSH, our board-certified internal medicine team has the specialized knowledge and diagnostic resources to manage complex or advanced cases of Lyme disease. We work closely with your primary care veterinarian to ensure the best possible outcome for your pet. 

Enjoy the outdoors—but stay vigilant. With awareness, preventive care, and early treatment, Lyme disease is a manageable threat, ensuring your dog remains active, happy, and healthy all season long.