Lyme disease is the reason we take ticks so seriously. It's a tick-borne illness that can make a dog genuinely unwell, and while it isn't common in the UK, it's worth understanding because so much of the risk comes down to two simple things: finding ticks quickly and removing them properly. Get those right and you cut the danger right down.
I check plenty of dogs for ticks here in York, especially through spring and summer when they come in from walks in long grass and woodland. This guide is the natural companion to knowing how to remove a tick: what the illness itself is, the signs to watch for afterwards, and how to keep your dog protected.
What Lyme disease is and how dogs catch it
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by the bite of an infected tick. Ticks are small, spider-like parasites that latch onto the skin and feed on blood. Not every tick carries the bacteria, and a tick usually has to be attached for a good while before it can pass anything on, which is exactly why prompt removal matters so much.
Dogs pick up ticks out in the environment, brushing past vegetation where ticks sit waiting. The usual hotspots are long grass and meadows, woodland and bracken, and moorland or areas with lots of deer and sheep. Around York there's no shortage of countryside walking that fits the bill, so a quick check after those walks is a habit worth keeping. You can read more on Lyme disease for the background, but the practical message is prevention and prompt removal.
Signs of Lyme disease to watch for
Here's the tricky part: signs can take weeks or even months to appear after a bite, so it's easy to miss the connection. In the weeks following a known or suspected tick bite, keep an eye out for:
- Lameness or stiffness, often shifting from leg to leg and coming and going
- Swollen or painful joints
- Lethargy and a general lack of their usual spark
- Being off their food
- A high temperature or fever
- Swollen lymph nodes in some cases
Not every dog that's bitten will fall ill, and many show no signs at all. But if your dog develops shifting lameness, seems tired and off-colour, or has a temperature in the weeks after a tick, it's a "see your vet" situation. The PDSA has a reliable overview if you'd like to read further.
Worth knowing: Ticks can bite people too, and Lyme disease affects humans as well as dogs. So it's sensible to check yourself and any children after the same country walks, and to see your own GP if you develop a spreading circular rash or feel unwell after a bite.
Prompt, proper tick removal
Because risk rises the longer a tick stays attached, quick and correct removal is your best everyday defence. Use a tick-removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers, and:
- Get right down to the skin, gripping the tick where its mouth meets your dog, not the swollen body.
- Remove with steady, even pressure, following the tool's instructions (usually a gentle twist and lift) or pulling straight up with tweezers until it releases.
- Lift the whole tick away cleanly, head and all.
- Clean the spot and keep an eye on it over the following days.
Just as important, do not squeeze or crush the body, twist wildly, or try to burn it off or smother it in vaseline. Those methods make the tick regurgitate into the wound, raising the infection risk. If you'd rather not do it yourself, your vet or a nurse will happily remove it for you.
Vet note: If part of the mouthparts stays behind, the site turns red and sore, or your dog shows any signs of illness in the weeks after a bite, see your vet. Lyme disease is diagnosed and treated by a vet, so never attempt to treat a suspected infection at home.
Preventing ticks and Lyme disease
You can't keep your dog away from grass entirely, but you can stack the odds firmly in your favour:
- Use a vet-recommended preventative. Many licensed products cover ticks and fleas, as spot-ons, tablets or collars. The right one depends on your dog's age, weight, health and lifestyle, so ask your vet or pharmacist rather than guessing off a shelf. There are no one-size-fits-all doses.
- Check after every walk in tick country. Run your hands over the head, ears, neck, armpits, groin and between the toes, where ticks like to attach.
- Keep the grooming up. On long or dense coats, mats and heavy feathering hide a tick until it's well fed. A well-kept coat makes those daily checks far quicker, which is a quiet benefit of regular grooming.
When to see your vet
Contact your vet if your dog develops shifting lameness, swollen or painful joints, lethargy, a poor appetite or a temperature in the weeks after a tick bite. Even if you're not sure a tick was involved, those signs are always worth a check. Trust your instinct, you know your dog's normal better than anyone.
Frequently asked questions
What are the signs of Lyme disease in dogs?
Common signs are shifting lameness and stiffness, swollen or painful joints, lethargy, being off their food and a fever, often appearing weeks after a tick bite. Many dogs show no signs at all, so any of these warrant a vet visit.
How soon do Lyme disease symptoms appear after a tick bite?
They can take weeks or even months to show, which makes the link easy to miss. That's why it's worth noting when you've removed a tick and watching your dog for lameness or lethargy in the following weeks.
How do I prevent Lyme disease in my dog?
Use a vet-recommended tick preventative, check your dog thoroughly after walks in long grass and woodland, and remove any ticks promptly and properly. The quicker a tick comes off, the lower the risk.
Can I catch Lyme disease from my dog?
You can't catch it directly from your dog, but the same ticks can bite people, so check yourself and children after country walks and see your GP if you develop a spreading rash or feel unwell after a bite.
This isn't veterinary advice
We're professional dog groomers, not vets, so please treat this as friendly general guidance. If you're worried about your dog, or before acting on anything here, speak to your local vet. In an emergency, contact your vet or nearest out-of-hours clinic.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. A well-kept coat makes spotting ticks far easier, so regular grooming is a real ally through tick season. Book a grooming appointment.