Prevent Lyme Disease in Horses and Dogs!
by Kamie Roth
April 14, 2025
![Prevent Lyme Disease in Horses and Dogs!]()
April is Prevent Lyme Disease in Horses and Dogs Month, a timely reminder for pet and horse owners to be vigilant as tick season begins! Lyme disease, caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria and spread by ticks—especially the black-legged or deer tick—can affect both dogs and horses, leading to serious health issues if left untreated.
Why It Matters
As spring temperatures rise, ticks emerge in greater numbers—and with them, the risk of Lyme disease increases. This tick-borne illness can have serious health impacts on animals, especially dogs and horses, which are particularly susceptible.
Lyme disease can cause a variety of symptoms in pets, including:
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In Dogs: Lameness & joint pain (often shifting from one leg to another), fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, and in severe cases, kidney damage.
Lyme disease in horses can be harder to detect because the symptoms are often subtle and mistaken for other issues.
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In Horses: Stiffness or lameness (particularly shifting leg lameness), behavioral changes (irritability, head tossing, or sudden resistance to being handled), weight loss, neurological issues (including incoordination or sensitivity to touch), and swollen joints, or low-grade fever.
- As prey animals, horses often mask signs of illness, so close observation and routine checks are crucial—especially during tick season.
Early detection and prevention are key to keeping your animals healthy and active!
Tips for Preventing Lyme Disease
🐶 For Dogs:
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Tick Prevention Products: Use veterinarian-recommended tick preventatives (collars, topical treatments, or oral medications).
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Daily Tick Checks: After walks, hikes, or time outside, check your dog thoroughly—especially ears, neck, underarms, and between toes.
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Vaccination: Ask your vet if the Lyme vaccine is right for your dog, particularly if you live in or travel to high-risk areas.
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Yard Maintenance: Keep your lawn trimmed and remove brush to reduce tick habitats around your home.
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Avoid Tick-Heavy Areas: Stick to the center of trails and avoid tall grasses, wooded areas, and leaf litter when walking your dog.
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Grooming Routine: Regularly bathe and brush your dog to help spot ticks more easily.
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Tick Removal Tool: Keep a tick remover or fine-tipped tweezers on hand for quick, safe removal if needed.
🐴 For Horses:
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Fly Sprays & Repellents: Use equine-safe tick repellents, especially if your horse grazes in wooded or brushy areas.
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Regular Grooming: Check for ticks daily, focusing on the mane, tail, ears, and underbelly.
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Pasture Management: Mow pastures and limit overgrowth. Consider rotating grazing areas.
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Vaccination & Vet Care: Some areas offer a Lyme vaccine for horses—talk to your vet about the risks in your region.
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Protective Gear: Consider using fly sheets, masks, or leg wraps treated with tick repellent to minimize tick access.
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Barn & Shelter Maintenance: Keep stalls and shelters clean and dry. Remove old bedding and debris where ticks might hide.
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Monitor for Symptoms: Be aware of early signs of Lyme disease in horses—like lameness, stiffness, or behavioral changes—and consult your vet if anything seems off.
Lyme disease is preventable! A few proactive steps now can save your dog or horse from long-term health complications. Celebrate Prevent Lyme Disease in Horses & Dogs Month by staying informed and protecting the animals you love!
Kamie Roth
Author