Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs | Signs, Symptoms, and How to Protect Your Pet

Just like people, dogs can get sick from tick bites. Ticks carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites that enter a dog’s body through the bite. Some of these illnesses are mild, but others can be very serious—or even deadly—if not treated quickly.

Dogs are more likely to get tick-borne diseases if they spend time outdoors in tall grass, wooded areas, or places with lots of wildlife. Thankfully, with early care and good prevention, most of these diseases can be treated or avoided.

🦠 How Do Dogs Get Tick-Borne Diseases?

Ticks attach to a dog’s skin and feed on blood. If the tick is carrying germs, those can enter the dog’s bloodstream during feeding. Dogs usually don’t feel the tick bite, and some ticks are so small they’re hard to spot.

Ticks often attach in hidden areas like:

•     Around the ears
•     Between the toes
•     Under the collar
•     On the belly or inside the legs

Some dogs can get more than one disease from a single tick bite, especially in areas where multiple tick species live.

🩺 Most Common Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs

Here are the top tick-borne diseases that affect dogs in North America:
1. Lyme Disease

    Cause: Borrelia burgdorferi, spread by the *blacklegged (deer) tick

    Symptoms:

•         Lameness that comes and goes (limping)
•         Swollen joints
•         Fever
•         Loss of appetite
•         Tiredness

    Note: Some dogs may show no signs for months after infection

    Treatment: Antibiotics (usually doxycycline); dogs typically recover well with early care

2. Ehrlichiosis

    Cause: Ehrlichia canis, spread by the Brown Dog Tick

    Symptoms:

•         Fever
•         Weight loss
•         Bruising or bleeding
•         Eye or nose discharge
•         Weakness

    Risk: If not treated early, it can damage the bone marrow and immune system. Treatment: Doxycycline, usually for several weeks

3. Anaplasmosis

    Cause: Anaplasma phagocytophilum or Anaplasma platys, spread by the blacklegged tick or brown dog tick

    Symptoms:

•         Joint pain and stiffness
•         Fever
•         Loss of appetite
•         Vomiting

    Treatment: Antibiotics, with most dogs recovering quickly

4. Babesiosis

    Cause: A parasite that invades red blood cells, spread by brown dog ticks and through blood contact

    Symptoms:

•         Weakness
•         Pale gums (due to anemia)
•         Dark-colored urine
•         Swollen belly

    Treatment: Special antiparasitic medications and sometimes blood transfusions

5. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)

    Cause: Rickettsia rickettsii, spread by American Dog Ticks, Brown Dog Ticks, and Rocky Mountain Wood Ticks

    Symptoms:

•         Fever
•         Swollen lymph nodes
•         Skin rash or bruising
•         Joint pain

  RMSF in dogs can become severe if not treated early. Treatment: Doxycycline and supportive care

6. Hepatozoonosis (rare but severe)

    Cause: A parasite (Hepatozoon canis or Hepatozoon americanum)

    Unique transmission: Dogs get infected by eating an infected tick

    Symptoms:

•         High fever
•         Muscle pain
•         Difficulty walking
•         Weight loss

    Treatment: Long-term medication and supportive care

🧠 What Are the Signs of Tick-Borne Disease in Dogs?

Not all dogs show signs right away. Some symptoms may appear days to weeks—or even months—after the tick bite.

Watch for:

•     Fever
•     Limping or stiffness
•     Tiredness or lack of interest in play
•     Loss of appetite
•     Swollen joints or lymph nodes
•     Bruising or unusual bleeding
•     Pale gums or dark urine

If your dog shows any of these symptoms, especially after a known tick bite or outdoor activity, contact a veterinarian right away.

🛡️ How to Protect Your Dog from Tick-Borne Illness

Preventing tick bites is the best way to keep your dog healthy.

Here’s how to help protect your pet:

    Use vet-recommended tick preventatives, like:

•         Oral chewable tablets
•         Spot-on treatments
•         Tick collars

    Check your dog for ticks daily, especially after being outside

•     Keep grass short and brush trimmed in your yard
•     Avoid letting dogs roam in tall grass or wooded areas without protection
•     Ask your vet about a Lyme disease vaccine if you live in a high-risk area

If you find a tick on your dog, remove it with fine-tipped tweezers or a special tick remover. Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull steadily. Wash the area and monitor your dog closely for signs of illness.

🌟 Fun Facts About Dogs and Ticks

•     Ticks are most active during spring, summer, and fall, but some can survive winter.
•     Dogs can get more than one tick disease from a single bite.
•     Indoor dogs can still get ticks if they go outside, even briefly.
•     Some ticks can survive in homes and kennels, especially the brown dog tick.
•     Dogs can’t catch Lyme disease from humans—and people can’t catch it from dogs—but the same ticks bite both!

👧 Kid-Friendly Summary

Ticks don’t just bite people—they bite dogs too, and they can make them really sick. Tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis can cause fever, tiredness, and sore legs. But if dogs get medicine early, they can feel better quickly. To keep your dog safe, help check them for ticks, and always use vet-approved tick preventatives. And give your pup extra love after an outdoor adventure!

📚 Vocabulary Words

Tick – A small bug that feeds on blood and can spread disease
Vector – An animal (like a tick) that spreads germs
Lameness – When a dog limps or has trouble walking
Parasite – A tiny creature that lives inside another animal
Anemia – A condition where there aren’t enough red blood cells
Preventative – A medicine used to stop illness before it happens
Swollen lymph nodes – Enlarged glands that can show your body is fighting illness

EXpanded:

Dogs love to explore the outdoors—running through fields, sniffing in the woods, and rolling in the grass. But while these adventures are fun, they can also expose dogs to ticks. Ticks are tiny arachnids that bite and feed on blood, and some of them carry harmful germs that cause illness. When a tick bites a dog and stays attached long enough, it can pass bacteria, parasites, or viruses into the dog’s bloodstream.

These diseases, known as tick-borne illnesses, can cause a wide range of symptoms—from tiredness and fever to joint pain or even serious organ damage. The good news is that many of these diseases can be treated if caught early, and even better, they can often be prevented with proper care.
How Dogs Get Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks often attach to dogs while they are walking through tall grass, wooded trails, or bushy areas. Once on the skin, the tick inserts its mouthparts and begins to feed. If the tick is carrying germs, these can enter the dog's bloodstream during the feeding process. Some ticks are so small—especially in their younger stages—that they’re hard to see. Because dogs have fur, it can be even more difficult to spot ticks quickly.

Ticks prefer to attach in hidden, warm areas. Common places to find ticks on dogs include around the ears, under the collar, between the toes, on the belly, and beneath the tail. Regular tick checks, especially after time outdoors, are an important way to catch ticks early and lower the risk of infection.
Common Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs

There are several diseases that dogs can get from ticks. Each one is caused by a different type of bacteria or parasite, and each can affect a dog’s body in different ways.

Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-borne diseases in dogs. It is spread by the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick. Dogs with Lyme disease often develop a fever, swollen joints, and sudden lameness that may come and go. Some dogs may appear very tired or stop eating. If treated early with antibiotics, most dogs recover well.

Ehrlichiosis is another serious disease that affects the blood and immune system. It is commonly spread by the brown dog tick. Dogs infected with Ehrlichia bacteria may show signs such as fever, nosebleeds, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes. In more advanced stages, it can cause damage to the bone marrow, making it hard for dogs to fight off other illnesses.

Anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma bacteria, can lead to similar symptoms, including stiffness, joint pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite. This disease is often spread by the same ticks that carry Lyme disease.

Babesiosis is caused by a tiny parasite that infects a dog’s red blood cells. It can lead to weakness, pale gums, dark urine, and swelling in the abdomen. This disease is more common in warmer climates and can be more serious in puppies or dogs with other health problems.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, though better known in humans, can also affect dogs. This disease is caused by a bacterium called Rickettsia rickettsii and is spread by the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, or brown dog tick. Dogs may develop a high fever, joint pain, swollen legs, or even bleeding issues.

Finally, hepatozoonosis is a rare but severe condition that affects dogs in the southern United States. Unlike other tick-borne diseases, dogs do not get infected from a tick bite—they get sick after eating an infected tick. Symptoms may include high fever, muscle pain, weight loss, and weakness. This disease requires long-term medical care.
Symptoms to Watch For

Not all dogs show signs of illness right away. In some cases, symptoms may appear weeks or even months after the tick bite. That’s why it’s important to know the warning signs of a tick-borne illness.

Common signs include:

    Sudden lameness or stiffness in the legs

    Fever or warm ears

    Loss of appetite

    Tiredness or low energy

    Swollen joints or glands

    Pale gums or dark-colored urine

    Bruising or bleeding that seems unusual

If your dog shows any of these symptoms, especially after spending time outdoors or having a known tick bite, it’s important to visit a veterinarian as soon as possible.
How to Protect Your Dog from Ticks

The best way to keep your dog safe from tick-borne diseases is to prevent tick bites in the first place. There are many effective tick prevention methods that pet owners can use. Veterinarians often recommend monthly treatments such as oral tablets, medicated collars, or topical solutions that keep ticks from biting. Some areas also offer a Lyme disease vaccine for dogs.

In addition to using preventatives, you can reduce the chances of tick exposure by checking your dog daily—especially after outdoor play—and keeping your yard clean and trimmed. If you find a tick, remove it using tweezers or a tick-removal tool. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it out slowly and steadily. Clean the area and wash your hands.

If you’re ever unsure about a tick or your dog’s symptoms, don’t wait. Call your vet and get your dog checked.
Kid-Friendly Summary

Dogs can get sick from ticks, just like people. Some of the diseases ticks spread can make dogs feel very tired, stiff, or even stop eating. One of the most common illnesses is Lyme disease, but there are others too, like ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The best way to keep your dog safe is to help check them for ticks after walks, give them the medicine your vet recommends, and keep tall grass and weeds away from your yard. Healthy dogs make the best outdoor buddies!
Vocabulary Words

Tick – A small bug that bites and feeds on blood
Vector – An animal that spreads disease
Parasite – A living creature that feeds off another
Antibiotic – Medicine that kills bacteria
Bone marrow – The soft tissue inside bones that makes blood cells
Joint pain – Discomfort or swelling where two bones meet
Preventative – A treatment used to stop a problem before it starts

❓ Interactive Quiz (8 Questions)

1. Can ticks make dogs sick?
A. No
B. Only in the summer
C. Yes ✅
D. Only puppies

2. What is one tick-borne disease dogs can get?
A. Rabies
B. Lyme disease ✅
C. Heartworm
D. Distemper

3. What is a common symptom of tick illness in dogs?
A. Barking loudly
B. Limping or stiffness ✅
C. Snoring
D. Sneezing

4. What should you do if you find a tick on your dog?
A. Ignore it
B. Cut your dog’s fur
C. Remove it carefully with tweezers ✅
D. Give it a treat

5. Which tick spreads Ehrlichiosis in dogs?
A. Deer Tick
B. Brown Dog Tick ✅
C. Lone Star Tick
D. Flea

6. Can dogs get sick from eating a tick?
A. Yes, that’s how Hepatozoonosis happens ✅
B. No, ticks are safe to eat
C. Only if the tick is big
D. Only if they chew it

7. How can you help protect your dog from ticks?
A. Let them roam freely
B. Give them chocolate
C. Use vet-approved tick medicine ✅
D. Wash them with soap only

8. Can dogs catch tick diseases from humans?
A. Yes
B. No ✅
C. Only in winter
D. Only if they share food