My dog had a tick – will he get Lyme disease?

Source: CDC: The chances a dog might get Lyme disease from a single tick bite depend on the type of tick, where you acquired it, and how long it was attached. Many types of ticks bite people in the U.S., but only blacklegged ticks transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. Furthermore, only blacklegged ticks in the highly endemic areas of the northeastern and north central U.S. are commonly infected. Finally, blacklegged ticks need to be attached for at least 24 hours before they can transmit Lyme disease. This is why it’s so important to remove them promptly and to check daily for ticks if you live in an endemic area.

States determine which counties are endemic for Lyme disease. The Council of State and Territorrial Epidemiologists (CSTE) considers a county to be endemic for Lyme disease if:

• There are at least two confirmed human cases that were acquired in (not just reported from) that county, or

• There are established populations of Ixodes scapularis or Ixodes pacificus are infected with B. burgdorferi

Recommendation: If you are worried about ticks – we recommend they make an appointment and discuss tick prevention. If a dog develops signs of illness within a few weeks of a tick bite, please see us right away. Common symptoms of Lyme disease include a rash, fever, body aches, and arthritis.

NOTE: Licking County is now considered a Lyme Endemic county.