Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs and Cats: What to Watch For and How to Prevent Them
Tiny, persistent, and dangerous. Ticks may be small, but tick-borne diseases in dogs and cats can be serious for your pet—and even pose risks to families and homes.
Understanding the types of tick-borne diseases, how they show up, and how to prevent them is your best defense.
Let’s walk through the essential questions every pet parent should ask.
What Are Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs and Cats?
Tick-borne diseases in dogs and cats are infections transmitted when a tick attaches to a pet, feeds, and passes bacteria, protozoa, or other pathogens into the bloodstream.
These diseases matter because they can cause severe symptoms such as joint pain, fever, organ damage, anemia and even death if untreated. Early detection and prevention are key.
Most Common Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs
- Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)
- Ehrlichiosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis (protozoal infection)
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Tick-Borne Diseases in Cats
While less common, tick-borne diseases in cats still occur and may present differently. Cytauxzoonosis, for example, is a potentially fatal protozoal infection seen primarily in the southern and southeastern U.S. There is currently no vaccine for Cytauxzoonosis, so tick prevention is especially critical for at-risk cats. Early veterinary attention is essential, as this disease progresses rapidly and requires prompt, aggressive treatment.
How Do Ticks Transmit Disease to Pets?
Ticks pick up pathogens from wild animals (like mice, birds and deer) and transmit them when they feed on your pet.
Key risk factors include:
- Outdoor Exposure: Ticks are common in wooded or grassy areas, especially during the spring and fall.
- Multi-pet Homes: Risk rises if other animals bring ticks indoors.
- Regional Prevalence: Some areas of the U.S. have higher infection rates.
- Attachment Time: Ticks usually need to feed for 24-48 hours to transmit infection.
Because tick exposure is easy to miss, routine prevention is crucial for both pets and people.
What Are the Symptoms of Tick-Borne Disease in Dogs and Cats?
Symptoms vary by disease and species, but common warning signs are below. Since symptoms can appear weeks later, or even not at all, regular tick checks and blood screening help detect infections early.
Symptoms of Tick-Borne Disease in Dogs
- Lethargy, fever or loss of appetite
- Lameness or stiff joints (common in Lyme disease)
- Enlarged lymph nodes or swollen limbs
- Pale gums, anemia or bleeding (Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis)
Symptoms of Tick-Borne Disease in Cats
Cats can show many of the same warning signs, plus more subtle symptoms like hiding, decreased grooming or weight loss.
How Are Tick-Borne Diseases in Pets Diagnosed and Treated?
You’ll need to visit your veterinarian’s office for an official diagnosis. They may use:
- Blood tests for antibodies or antigens (Lyme, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma)
- PCR testing for DNA detection of tick-borne pathogens
- Blood smears if protozoal infection (Babesiosis) is suspected
Your veterinarian will recommend a treatment based on their findings. Doxycycline is commonly prescribed for bacterial infections like Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Ehrlichiosis, whereas Babesiosis may require combination therapy and supportive care.
Your veterinarian may repeat labs to ensure infection clearance and watch for potential organ effects.
At Mixlab, we can compound prescribed medications for tick-borne diseases in cats and dogs. We can customize flavor, dose form and dosage to make treatment smoother for your pet and easier for you.
How to Prevent Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs and Cats
Prevention is your strongest tool.
Prevention Tips
- Use year-round tick preventatives (oral, topical, or collars) as recommended by your veterinarian.
- Check pets daily for ticks—especially ears, neck, tail base and under legs.
- Maintain your yard. Trim grass, remove brush, and reduce wildlife access.
- Remove ticks promptly. Grasp near the skin with tweezers and pull straight out.
- Ask your veterinarian about the Lyme vaccine (available for dogs in high-risk areas).
There’s currently no vaccine for most tick-borne diseases in dogs and cats, so consistent prevention is essential.
And remember: prevention isn’t just seasonal. Mild winters and changing weather patterns mean ticks can remain active even when temperatures drop, especially in sheltered outdoor areas.
Want to dive deeper into cat-specific protection tips? Check out this article.
What Should I Do if I Find a Tick on My Pet (or Myself)?
- Stay calm. Remove the tick carefully with fine-tipped tweezers.
- Place the tick in a sealed bag labeled with the date, location and host (dog or cat).
- Call your veterinarian if:
- The tick was attached over 24 hours
- Your pet shows signs like lethargy, fever or limping
- Watch for new symptoms for up to four weeks.
- Keep the tick in case identification is needed.
You can ask your veterinarian to submit the tick for testing to determine whether it carries Lyme or other pathogens. Knowing the type of tick can help guide next steps.
If tick activity is frequent, talk to your veterinarian about environmental control and monthly preventatives through Mixlab.
Trusted Treatments for Tick-Borne Diseases in Dogs and Cats
Tick-borne diseases in dogs and cats may not always be obvious, but the risks are serious. With vigilance, prevention, and support from your veterinarian and Mixlab, your pet can stay safe year-round.
At Mixlab, we offer:
- Compounded and commercial tick-preventative medications
- Fast, free delivery nationwide
- Expert pharmacy support to simplify care
We work directly with your veterinarian to ensure every prescription is tailored to your pet’s needs—whether that’s flavoring for picky dogs or creating easy-to-administer forms for cats.
Keep your pet safe from ticks and enjoy the outdoors worry-free. Ask your veterinarian to prescribe with Mixlab, or simply submit your existing prescription online here. Get in touch with us if you have questions!