Tiny Bite, Big Problems: Signs of Tick-Borne Illnesses in Dogs

Dogs love a good romp in the grass. Unfortunately, that’s exactly where ticks hide, perched on blades of grass or nestled under leaf litter, ready to latch onto their next host. Despite their pin-sized bodies, ticks are relentless bloodsucking pests, and their bites can trigger more than a temporary bother for your four-legged friend. Tick-borne illnesses in dogs range from common to incredibly rare, and every pet parent should understand the risks. Some illnesses, like Lyme disease in dogs, are widely recognized, while others, such as babesiosis in dogs, fly under the radar, despite the severity.

As a pet parent, it pays to know how ticks behave, what they transmit, and the early red flags that something isn’t right, to help keep your pup safe.

Why You Should Regularly Check Your Dog for Ticks

It’s important to check your dog often for ticks and pull them off as soon as you find them. While ticks don’t jump or fly, they can latch onto dogs from tall grass, shrubs, or foliage piles. Once aboard, they crawl to warm, hidden spots on your pooch’s body (behind ears, under legs, and between paw pads) and pierce the skin with barbed mouthparts. From there, they feed for hours or even days, slowly filling with blood, until identified and pulled off

The longer ticks stay attached, the greater the chance they spread disease. They can pass along bacteria and parasites. These germs travel through the tick’s saliva and into the dog’s bloodstream. Ticks can even spread more than one illness at once. A single tick can transmit both Lyme disease and anaplasmosis in dogs through the same bite.

This raises an important question many owners ask: “Can a tick kill a dog?” While most bites alone aren’t fatal, untreated tick-transmitted diseases in dogs can spiral into life-threatening conditions – especially for puppies, seniors, or dogs with weakened immune systems.

Read more: Common Types of Ticks That Could Be on Your Dog

Recognizing Signs of Tick Disease in Dogs

Dogs can’t tell us when they feel unwell, so vigilance falls on dog owners. The tricky part of assessing your pup is that tick illness symptoms in dogs often resemble everyday fatigue or soreness. After outdoor playtime, keep a sharp eye on your pet’s demeanor. The most common tick illness symptoms in dogs include:

• Fatigue: A normally active dog suddenly seems lethargic and too tired to play. 
• Fever: Warm ears, a dry nose, or general heat radiating from their body.
• Loss of appetite: Refusing food or treats they usually love.
• Joint pain or limping: Stiffness or lameness that moves from one leg to another.
• Swollen lymph nodes: Small, firm, fluid-filled lumps under the jaw or behind the legs.
• Pale gums: A sign of anemia, common in diseases like babesiosis in dogs.
• Bruising or nosebleeds: Linked to Ehrlichiosis in dogs.

What Are the First Signs of Lyme Disease in Dogs?

Early intervention is critical, so quickly spotting Lyme disease symptoms can make all the difference in your dog’s treatment options and long-term health.

First signs of Lyme disease in dogs include:

• Lameness or limping: Often shifting from one leg to another.
• Swollen, painful joints: Stiffness or reluctance to move, even when incentivized through food or play.
• Fever: Sometimes paired with overall warmth and lethargy.
• Loss of appetite: Skipping meals or refusing favorite treats.
• Low energy: A normally playful dog seems unusually tired.

If you notice any of these signs of Lyme disease in your dog, consult your veterinarian. Are tick-borne diseases in dogs curable? With timely treatment, many pups will recover well, but some infections can result in lasting damage if left untreated.

Meet the Culprits: 5 Common Canine Tick-Borne Diseases

Ticks can transmit many illnesses, but these five are the biggest concerns for dog owners in the US:

Lyme Disease

Cause: Bacteria carried by black-legged (deer) ticks.

Signs: Fever, slowness, joint swelling, and loss of appetite.

Why it matters: If untreated, Lyme disease can damage the kidneys and nervous system.

Anaplasmosis

Cause: The same ticks that spread Lyme disease.

Symptoms of Anaplasmosis in dogs: Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weakness.

Why it matters: Canine anaplasmosis symptoms can mimic Lyme, so diagnosis often requires blood tests.

Ehrlichiosis

Cause: Spread by the brown dog tick.

Canine Ehrlichiosis symptoms: Nosebleeds, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, eye problems, and fatigue.

Why it matters: Ehrlichiosis in dogs can become chronic and harder to treat if missed early.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Cause: Spread by the American dog tick and other species.

Rocky Mountain Fever in dogs: High fever, vomiting, skin rashes, and neurological problems like difficulty walking.

Why It matters: This disease progresses fast and requires immediate veterinary care.

Babesiosis

Cause: Tiny parasites passed by ticks.

Babesiosis Symptoms in dogs: Weakness, dark urine, pale gums, and fainting spells.

Why it matters: Severe cases can damage vital organs or require blood transfusions.

Ticks may be tiny hitchhikers, but you don’t have to roll out the welcome mat—proactive prevention will keep them from making your pup their new home.

Tick Prevention Tips: Your Pup’s Best Defense

With dogs and tick diseases, prevention trumps treatment. Once an infection sets in, it’s far tougher to manage. Fortunately, a few simple routines make all the difference. Try these steps to protect your dog:

Daily tick checks: Run your hands through your dog’s fur after outside time or use a flea comb. Focus on warm, hidden areas of their body such as their neck and collar area, belly, under ears, and between toes.

Tidy yards: Mow grass, trim brush, and clear leaf litter to remove tick hiding spots.

Vet-approved preventatives: Ask your vet about the best prevention method for your dog, such as monthly chewable medications, topical medications, or collars.

Profession tick yard spray: A preventative yard defender treatment from your local Mosquito Squad^® will kill ticks on contact and continue to deter them for up to 21 days. We strategically target areas in your yard where ticks are likely to hide and thrive.

Tick-safe spaces: Mulch or gravel barriers help block tick migration into play areas.

These steps protect not only your pup but the whole household. Fewer ticks in the yard mean fewer chances for bites all around.

Protect Your Pooch and Your Yard

Ticks may be tiny, but the dangers they carry are anything but. From Lyme disease to babesiosis, tick-borne diseases in dogs can steal your pet’s health and energy. The best defense? Safeguarding the spaces where your furry friend loves to roam with Mosquito Squad’s^® targeted treatments for biting pests.

Learn more when you contact Mosquito Squad^® Plus today at (877) 332-2239 or request a free, no-obligation quote online.