Written by Hana Darnell

Lyme disease is a serious illness caused by bacteria
spread through the bite of infected deer ticks, which are common in our area. This means your dog is at risk, even if they only spend a little time outdoors. Ticks can be active year-round, including during colder months.

Dogs with Lyme disease may show symptoms like limping, low energy, and fever. The best way to protect your pet is with monthly flea and tick preventatives, such as Simparica Trio, NexGard Plus, or K9 Advantix. Depending on the product, these can also protect against fleas, heartworms, and intestinal parasites.

In addition to preventatives, there’s also a Lyme vaccine available for dogs. Like the flu shot in people, it doesn’t completely prevent infection, but it can reduce how sick your dog gets if exposed. The vaccine works best when used alongside regular tick prevention, not as a replacement.

Talk to your veterinarian about the right protection plan for your dog. Staying on top of prevention helps keep your pet healthy and safe all year long.