Mention this offer to claim your pet's free first exam and get started with care designed around your pet.

Learn how to prevent Lyme disease in dogs, recognize symptoms early, and protect your pet from tick-borne illness with effective tick prevention.

Lyme Disease in Dogs: Prevention, Symptoms, and Tick Protection

Learn why parasite prevention for dogs and cats is essential year round. Understand how fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, and heartworms affect pets and how veterinary preventive care protects their health.

Parasite Prevention for Dogs and Cats | Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Protection

Poison exposure is one of the most common and preventable causes of emergency veterinary visits. This guide outlines the most common sources of pet poisoning, warning signs to watch for, and steps you can take to protect your pet.


Poison Prevention in Pets: What Every Owner Needs to Know

Bad breath is one of the most common signs of dental and oral disease in dogs and cats. While it is often dismissed as normal, persistent odor from the mouth is almost always an indication of an underlying issue.

Bad Breath in Pets: What It Means and When to See the Veterinarian

Understanding how oral bacteria contribute to widespread health complications helps explain why consistent dental care is essential for long term wellness.

How Dental Disease Impacts Heart, Kidney, and Lung Health in Pets

Fri Apr 11 2025 01:52:16 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time)

Owings Mills Veterinary Center

about-us-page

our-history-section

our-teams-section

We are dedicated to providing the highest level of care along with friendly, compassionate service.

why-us-section

app-download-page

blogs-page

blogs-section

book-appointment-page

book-appointment-section

career-page

careers-section

forms-page

landing-page

contact-us-section

cta-bar

emergency-branches

faq-section

footer-section

hero-section

otto-widget-section

our-services-section

testimonials-section

vetstoria-widget-section

Financial Aid:

Obedience:

Local Dog Parks:

Boarding Kennels In Our Area:

Microchipping:

Doggie Daycare in our Area:

Adoptions:

General Information:

links-and-resources

news-page

our-history-page

payment-info-page

payment-information-section

payment-section-3

services-page

service-page-section

team-page

teams-page-section

video-page

pixel_google

pixel_facebook

Header Cookie Consent - 671f33c5d8e9f7c6b5f082c9

cookie_settings_1750955345987

<button id="ot-sdk-btn" class="ot-sdk-show-settings">Cookie Settings</button>
 

cookie_list_1750955346272

cookie_microsoft

<p dir="auto">If you were to meet Howie with his cute bow tie and his wagging tail, you would never know that one fateful day last spring, his mother thought he was on death’s doorstep. When Howie arrived at my clinic, he was painful to the touch, had a high fever, had no appetite, and was very lethargic. He had no desire to walk around, and we could barely touch him without him yelping in pain. After carefully examining him, my top two differentials were a back issue or Lyme disease. Howie’s owner remembered that Howie had tested Lyme positive at his previous vet a couple of years ago. Since in-house testing shows exposure and not necessarily an active infection, the positive result was confirmed at an outside lab by measuring the Lyme levels in Howie’s blood. Howie was treated with medication and has happily made a full recovery, much to everyone’s relief.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Howie was lucky that his Lyme disease presented as soreness with a fever. Although this is probably one of the more common presentations in dogs, along with lameness, did you know it can also cause very serious kidney issues as well?</p><h2 dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.2"><strong>Important Facts About Lyme Disease?</strong></h2><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Lyme disease is a bacterial infection known as <em>Borrelia burgdorferi, </em>which is spread by the black-legged tick (also known as the deer tick). The disease was first recognized in 1975 when researchers started investigating why so many children were developing juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Lyme, Connecticut, and several surrounding towns. There is evidence that Lyme disease was present in wildlife back to the late 1800s. Even though we think of deer carrying the deer tick into our backyards, other wildlife, such as mice, foxes, raccoons, squirrels, and other species, can harbor ticks on their bodies and help unwanted ticks move from place to place.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Most people mistakenly think that if they do not see ticks or if their dog has short hair that it will be safe from ticks. This is not true. The black-legged ticks have four different stages during their life cycle.&nbsp; One of the life stages of deer ticks can be the size of a pinhead and easily attach to a short-haired or a light-colored dog without ever being detected.&nbsp; After the deer tick attaches and seals itself to the dog's skin, it will begin to feed, taking a blood meal that the tick needs to sustain itself.&nbsp; Studies have also shown that one of the small, undetectable tick life stages (nymphs) tends to be the culprits in tick disease transmission because they are not easily detected as the larger adult tick life stage.&nbsp; If the tick is carrying <em>B. burgdorferi</em>, this bacterium will be transmitted to your dog while the tick ingests the blood meal. On average, it takes about 24-48 hours for the tick to pass Lyme disease to your dog.&nbsp;</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Lyme disease presents with a variety of clinical signs in dogs. Your dog may contract the disease but never show clinical signs; they may get a fever and have swollen or painful joints, have shifting leg lameness, stiffness, lethargy, or anorexia. In extreme cases, Lyme disease can affect the kidneys and result in fatal kidney failure.</p><h2 dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.2"><strong>Does My Dog Have Lyme Disease?</strong></h2><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">So, how can you tell if your dog has Lyme disease? Take your dog to the vet! You may suspect Lyme disease in your dog if you see some of the above-mentioned signs, but most of those clinical signs can be related to other non-Lyme-related diseases as well. Most veterinarians in the Northeast test dogs annually for Lyme disease. Most veterinarians in the area use an in-house test that looks for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichia. The three diseases (Lyme, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichia) are found in many parts of the United States, including the Western and upper Midwest States.&nbsp;</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">So what does a positive result mean, and what do you do about it?&nbsp; If your dog tests positive for Lyme disease, it means that they have been exposed to <em>B. burgdorferi</em>. What your veterinarian does with that positive result will vary. Your veterinarian may recommend checking your dog’s urine for protein, which can be an early sign of Lyme disease affecting the kidneys. They may recommend sending out additional blood work to a laboratory to test the levels of the bacteria in their blood and consider whether your dog should be treated, or to monitor your dog for clinical signs of Lyme disease and treat only if clinical signs are present.</p><h2 dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.2"><strong>How Do I Prevent Lyme Disease In My Dog?</strong></h2><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">The most important thing you should ask yourself is How do you prevent Lyme disease?&nbsp; The best preventative for most tick-borne diseases (that we commonly see in the United States) is to use flea and tick prevention. Not all flea and tick preventatives are created equally, though. You want something that will repel ticks or kill them before the 24-hour mark when they attach (remember it takes 24-48 hours to transmit tick-borne pathogens). It is often tempting to purchase something you see at the store, but I strongly recommend consulting with your veterinarian. Veterinarians can help guide you to products that will give your dog the best protection. Since there are so many choices out there, tap into your veterinarian’s knowledge before making a decision!</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Even though Lyme disease is well known to people who live in many parts of the United States, it is important to remember to protect not only yourself but your dog as well. This means using appropriate tick preventatives and testing if you have been in an area that has ticks. Just because you do not see a tick or your dog is not showing any clinical signs of Lyme disease does not mean that they may not be infected with the Lyme disease bacteria. It is better to be proactive and take steps to prevent tick diseases from being transmitted to your dog than to watch your best friend suffer from the clinical signs of the disease.</p><p dir="auto" style="line-height: 1.6em">Howie is doing wonderfully. Lyme disease may rear its ugly head again, but through careful annual monitoring and using preventive care, we will hopefully prevent that from happening again.</p>

Lyme disease presents with a variety of clinical signs in dogs. Your dog may contract the disease but never show clinical signs; they may get a fever and have swollen or painful joints, have shifting leg lameness, stiffness, lethargy, or anorexia. In extreme cases, Lyme disease can affect the kidneys and result in fatal kidney failure.

Lyme Disease

gtm_67f8287603a946b407b4257a

At Owings Mills Veterinary Center, We Are Just As Passionate About Our Team As We Are About Pets.

owingsmillsveterinarycenter

Easily schedule your pet's next visit in just a few clicks.

Consult Online

Online Store

Pet Portal

Forms

Download App

Additional Services

General Services

Speciality Services

Compassionate and quality care for your pets.

Same day appointments and walk-ins available

Served over 10,000 fur babies and their happy families.

<p>To help us provide the best care possible, payment is required at the time of service. We accept cash and all major credit cards, and we are happy to offer a deferred interest payment plan through CareCredit.</p>

CareCredit

Trupanion Pet Insurance

ScratchPay

Mr. Dog Training

Tree Frog Farm Personalized – Dog Training and Agility

Brunswick Maine Dog Park

Great Island Kennel

Pet Sitters of Maine

The Brown Dog Inn

Camp Bow Wow

Falmouth Happy Cats

Home Again

The Blue Dog Daycare

Happy Paws Unleashed

Midcoast Humane

Passion for Pets Rescue Organization

Coastal Maine Great Dane Rescue

VeterinaryPartner.com

The Indoor Pet Initiative

Feline Fix by Five

Traveling Out of the Country with Your Pet

AAHA Pet Health Library

Pet Poison Control

Enhance your pet's recovery and mobility with custom rehabilitation at (). Our expert team uses therapeutic exercise, laser therapy, and underwater treadmill sessions to reduce pain, rebuild strength, and restore comfort. Schedule your pet's rehab consultation today.

Pet Rehabilitation

Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses light to stimulate healing and reduce pain in animals.

Laser Therapy

Ensure your pet travels safely with expert veterinary health certificates for local, interstate, and international trips. Our USDA-accredited veterinarians handle exams, travel forms, and documentation for airlines and border requirements, so your pet is healthy, compliant, and ready to go wherever your journey leads.

Pet Health Certificates

Saying goodbye is the hardest part of loving a pet. When that time comes, you deserve clarity, comfort, and the space to make decisions with peace of mind.

End-of-Life Support

When your pet needs medication, trust and convenience matter. At (), we prescribe and dispense medications directly from the team whos seen your pet, knows their health history, and understands their specific needs.
No guessing, no delays, and no unnecessary confusion.


Pet Prescriptions

Skin issues are one of the most common reasons pets end up at the vet, and they're also some of the most frustrating. Allergies, infections, or even food sensitivities can all cause your pet discomfort.

Dermatology & Allergy Care

When pets act out, there's almost always a reason. Anxiety, fear, medical conditions, or past trauma can show up as barking, biting, hiding, or destruction. Our job is to uncover the cause and help your pet feel safe again.

Pet Behavior & Anxiety Support

Nutrition is the foundation of good health, and a powerful tool in managing weight, energy, chronic conditions, and even behavior.

Pet Nutrition

A sudden limp. A skipped meal. A look that says something's off. When your pet isn't feeling right, same-day answers make all the difference. 

Urgent Care

Your pet can't tell you when something's wrong. That's why regular wellness exams are so important. These visits give us the chance to catch health issues early, before they become painful or costly.  

Wellness Exams

Fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms are not just a nuisance, they are dangerous. These tiny pests can cause serious health issues like Lyme disease, heartworm disease, and tapeworms. 

Parasite Prevention

Bad breath isn't just annoying - it's often a sign of deeper health issues. Dental disease in pets can lead to oral pain, local or systemic infection, tooth loss, and even heart, liver, or kidney complications. 

Dental Care

Permanent ID for Peace of Mind. A collar can come off. A tag can get lost. But a microchip is a permanent, tamper-proof way to make sure your pet always has a way home. At (), we offer safe and simple microchip implantation, so your pet stays connected to you, no matter what.

Pet Microchipping

Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important decisions you can make for their long-term health. It helps prevent certain cancers and infections, curbs unwanted behaviors, and reduces the number of orphaned pets in shelters.

Spay And Neuter

Preventive care is vital for the overall health for your pet. Providing the needed vaccinations, exams, and tests ensures your pet's health and greatly increases the chances of finding any potential issues early for better outcomes and lower costs. 

Wellness Plans

Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to protect pets from serious, often deadly diseases. Whether you have a rambunctious or a relaxed pet, vaccinations help your pet build strong immunity and avoid preventable illness.

Vaccinations

Comprehensive surgical services, from routine procedures to complex operations, all are performed with expert care.

Pet Surgeries

When your pet isn't acting like themselves, diagnostic testing helps us find the reason. From bloodwork, urine testing, and fecal exams to x-rays, these tests give us a window into what's happening inside, so we can take action before things get worse.

Diagnostic Testing

When pets get sick or injured, you want answers fast. Advanced imaging gives us a deeper look, without invasive procedures.

Sheet title

Lyme Disease

Recent Blogs

Related Blogs

Lyme Disease in Dogs: Prevention, Symptoms, and Tick Protection

Understanding Lyme Disease in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Care

FAQs

Sheet title

Lyme Disease

Recent Blogs

Lyme Disease in Dogs: Prevention, Symptoms, and Tick Protection

Parasite Prevention for Dogs and Cats | Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Protection

Poison Prevention in Pets: What Every Owner Needs to Know

Related Blogs

Lyme Disease in Dogs: Prevention, Symptoms, and Tick Protection

Understanding Lyme Disease in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Care

FAQs

Do you offer pet dental care services?

What are the most common health issues for senior pets?

How often should I bring my pet to the vet for a check-up?

What is the best diet for my dog or cat?

What should I do if my pet shows signs of illness?