Dog tick diseases: see a vet today if your dog has sudden wobbly back legs, a changed bark or labored breathing (tick paralysis); pale gums, red-brown urine or collapse (babesiosis); nosebleeds, bruising or tiny red spots on the gums (ehrlichiosis, RMSF); or a high fever with lethargy after tick exposure (Merck).
Our #1 choice for ongoing support during flea and tick season is Pure Majesty Pets Vet-Strength Flea & Tick Support, a daily liquid supplement, not a medication, built for skin and coat comfort all season long: 62.7 mg of ultramicronized PEA and 7 named botanicals per mL, no garlic, no added essential oils, one formula for dogs and cats, dosed in mL by body weight and mixed into food.
It is made in North America under GMP with a COA on every batch, and it ships free worldwide. A complete flea-season routine has two parts: this daily support and the flea medication your vet chooses. If a flea medication seems to be failing, this guide on why flea treatment is not working on a dog covers what to check.
Dog tick diseases are infections a feeding tick passes to a dog, mostly bacteria plus a few blood parasites. In the US the main ones are Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and babesiosis, with hepatozoonosis and tick paralysis (a toxin, not an infection) close behind. Signs overlap, so this guide sorts them by tick, region and symptom.
Our #1 choice for ongoing support during flea and tick season
Pure Majesty Pets Vet-Strength Flea & Tick Support, $31.99 (60 mL). A daily supplement, not a medication.
- 62.7 mg of ultramicronized PEA and 7 named botanicals (134.4 mg) per mL, every dose disclosed
- No garlic, no added essential oils
- One formula for dogs and cats
- Liquid dosed in mL by body weight and mixed into food, at the serving your vet confirms
- Made in North America under GMP, COA on every batch, free worldwide shipping
Holding a tick right now? Start with our guide on what to do when you find a tick on your dog. Choosing the product that does the tick killing? Our breakdown of tick prevention for dogs you can buy without a prescription and our pillar on the best flea treatment for dogs compare the medication classes your vet will discuss.
What are dog tick diseases?
A feeding tick can pass germs from its saliva into the dog's blood. Most dog tick diseases are caused by bacteria (Borrelia for Lyme; Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Rickettsia for the rickettsial group). Babesiosis and hepatozoonosis are caused by single-celled parasites, and tick paralysis comes from a nerve toxin in the saliva of certain female ticks (CAPC).
Many infected dogs never look sick: CAPC says most dogs exposed to Lyme bacteria appear to develop subclinical infections (CAPC). Coinfections are common in some areas, with seroprevalence as high as 10 to 20% (Merck), so signs overlap. Itchy skin signs can also come from fleas rather than ticks, and this page on dog flea bites and what they look like helps you tell them apart.
You can also miss the tick: blacklegged tick nymphs are smaller than 2 mm (CAPC), and some infections skip the bite altogether. Tiny larval mites can leave itchy spots that look like bites, as described in this page on whether dogs can get chiggers. Other parasites cause similar signs; see signs of parasites in dogs. To know what to look for during daily checks, our guide to what a tick looks like on a dog compares flat and engorged ticks with a size chart.
Dog tick diseases at a glance: tick, region, timing and signs
CAPC and Merck data in one view; individual dogs vary.
| Disease | Main US tick(s) | Most reported in | Timing | Key signs | How the vet checks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyme disease | Blacklegged ticks only (eastern and western) | Northeast, upper Midwest, West Coast; rare in the South without travel | Signs usually 2–5 months; antibodies after 4–6 weeks | Usually none; fever, shifting lameness, swollen joints and lymph nodes, lethargy | Antibody screen (exposure only); urine protein if positive |
| Ehrlichiosis (E. canis) | Brown dog tick; American dog tick also competent | Whole US; most cases Southeast and Southwest | 1–3 weeks | Fever, lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, nosebleeds, bruising | Antibody screen, blood count with platelets, PCR |
| Ehrlichiosis (E. ewingii, E. chaffeensis) | Lone star tick | Mostly the South, up to New England | Early antibody tests can miss it | Fever, stiff or swollen joints, reluctance to move | Antibody screen (cross-reacts), PCR |
| Anaplasmosis (A. phagocytophilum) | Blacklegged ticks (eastern and western) | Northeast, upper Midwest, West | Antibodies may be negative in week 1 | Often none; fever, lameness, enlarged lymph nodes, bruising | Antibody screen; PCR early in illness |
| Anaplasmosis (A. platys) | Brown dog tick suspected, not yet documented in North America | Whole US | Not well defined | Few or no signs; cyclic drops in platelets | Antibody screen, PCR |
| Rocky Mountain spotted fever | American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick; brown dog tick in parts of Arizona and the Southwest | Southeast and south-central states | Often within 3 days; incubation a few days to 2 weeks | Fever up to 105°F, tiny red spots on gums or eyes, face or leg swelling, nosebleeds, wobbliness, seizures | Clinical judgment, paired antibody tests 1–3 weeks apart, PCR; early tests often negative |
| Babesiosis | Brown dog tick; B. gibsoni also via dog bites and transfusions | Whole US, more in southern states | 10–28 days | Pale gums, fever, poor appetite, enlarged spleen, red-brown urine, yellow gums or eyes | Blood smear, antibody test, PCR (not on the annual screen) |
| American canine hepatozoonosis | Gulf Coast tick, swallowed, not a bite | AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX | Gradual | On-and-off fever, muscle wasting, pain, stiffness, eye discharge, weight loss despite eating | Muscle biopsy, PCR; no commercial antibody test |
| Tick paralysis | American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick | Wherever these ticks live | About 5–9 days after attachment | Changed bark, wobbly back legs, weakness spreading forward, breathing changes | Finding the tick; improvement within 24 hours of removal |
Sources: CAPC Lyme, CAPC Ehrlichia and Anaplasma, CAPC RMSF, CAPC Babesia, CAPC hepatozoonosis, CAPC ticks, Merck ehrlichiosis, Merck anaplasmosis, Merck RMSF, Merck tick paralysis, CDC, VCA.
The main tick-borne diseases in dogs
Lyme disease
Only blacklegged ticks spread Lyme to dogs in North America, and transmission needs roughly 24 to 48 hours of feeding (CAPC). Most exposed dogs never show signs. Those that do may have fever, swollen joints and lameness that moves from leg to leg. If you spot one attached, our walkthrough on how to remove a tick from a dog covers the right tool and the steady, straight pull.
A kidney form, with vomiting, swelling and weight loss (CAPC), is uncommon but often fatal (Merck), which is why the ACVIM consensus recommends screening every Lyme-positive dog for protein in the urine. If your dog is limping, see dog limping and when to call the vet.
Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichia canis travels mainly with the brown dog tick and is reported across the US; E. ewingii and E. chaffeensis ride on the lone star tick, mostly in the South (CAPC).
Watch for fever, lethargy, weight loss, nosebleeds or bruising. German Shepherd Dogs are more likely to develop the long-term form (Merck). Ehrlichiosis can put blood in the stool, but so can many other problems; see why a dog may be pooping blood.
Anaplasmosis
Anaplasma phagocytophilum shares the blacklegged tick with Lyme. It is usually mild or silent; fever, lameness, enlarged lymph nodes and bruising usually resolve within a week of treatment (Merck). A. platys causes cyclic platelet drops and few or no outward signs (Merck).
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
RMSF can turn serious quickly. Fever, joint pain and muscle pain often start within 3 days of exposure (CAPC); some dogs then develop tiny red spots on the gums, facial or leg swelling, nosebleeds, wobbliness or seizures. Up to 10% of infected dogs die (Merck).
Because early blood tests are often negative, vets often start antibiotics on suspicion rather than wait (Merck). If your dog has a seizure, our page on seizures in dogs covers first steps.
Babesiosis
Babesia parasites destroy red blood cells. The brown dog tick is the most common US vector, and B. gibsoni also spreads through dog bites and blood transfusions, which helps explain its higher rate in American Staffordshire and pit bull terriers (CAPC). Signs are pale gums, fever, weakness and dark urine; treated dogs should be considered permanent carriers.
Hepatozoonosis
American canine hepatozoonosis is the odd one out: dogs catch it by eating an infected Gulf Coast tick or prey, not from the bite (CAPC). Expect muscle wasting, stiffness, eye discharge and weight loss while the dog keeps eating; CAPC calls it often fatal.
Tick paralysis
In North America the American dog tick and Rocky Mountain wood tick are the usual culprits. Signs start about 5 to 9 days after attachment, beginning with a changed bark and wobbly back legs (Merck). Removing every tick usually brings improvement within 24 hours; left in place, the paralysis can reach the breathing muscles.
American dog tick diseases and what other ticks carry
The American dog tick lives east of the Rocky Mountains, and a closely related species replaces it in the West (CDC). In dogs it matters most for RMSF and tick paralysis; CAPC also lists tularemia and calls it a competent vector of E. canis (CAPC). It does not spread Lyme disease.
The brown dog tick is the one that moves indoors, infesting homes and kennels even in cold regions. CAPC links it to E. canis, Babesia vogeli, probably B. gibsoni, Hepatozoon canis and, in parts of Arizona and the Southwest, RMSF. Our guide to the brown dog tick and how to clear it from your home walks through that cleanup.
Rocky Mountain wood tick vs dog tick? Adults look almost identical, about 5 mm with a brown shield marked in white (CAPC). The wood tick lives between the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada and Cascades, and both carry RMSF and cause tick paralysis. Lone star ticks spread E. ewingii and E. chaffeensis; Gulf Coast ticks carry Hepatozoon americanum.
Can a tick make a dog sick, or even kill a dog?
Yes to both, though death is uncommon with prompt care.
Ehrlichia and some Rickettsia can pass in as little as 3 to 6 hours of tick feeding (CAPC), RMSF transmission is generally put at 5 to 20 hours (CAPC RMSF), and Lyme usually needs 24 to 48 hours (CAPC Lyme). Daily checks and fast removal matter.
The fatal scenarios are RMSF, severe babesiosis that can rapidly result in death (Merck), American canine hepatozoonosis, tick paralysis when ticks stay on, and the uncommon Lyme kidney form. A sick dog with possible tick exposure deserves a vet visit even without a tick in hand.
Dog tick disease symptoms: what you notice, which diseases, what to tell your vet
The “How urgent” column is our own editorial triage, not a veterinary guideline, graded cautiously from Merck and CAPC warning language. It is not a diagnosis. If you are unsure, call your vet now.
| What you notice | Possible tick disease | Tell your vet | How urgent (our editorial triage) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudden wobbly back legs, changed bark, breathing changes | Tick paralysis | Ticks found or removed; where the dog has been | Emergency now |
| Pale gums, red-brown urine, yellow gums or eyes, weakness or collapse | Babesiosis | Fights or bites, past transfusions, southern travel | Emergency now |
| Nosebleeds, bruising, tiny red spots on gums, blood in urine or stool | Ehrlichiosis, RMSF, anaplasmosis | Last tick seen; tick product and last dose | Today |
| High fever with swelling of the face or legs, wobbliness or seizures | RMSF | Recent ticks, especially Southeast, south-central states or Arizona | Today; emergency now if seizing or collapsing |
| Vomiting, swelling, weight loss in a dog that tested Lyme-positive | Lyme kidney form (uncommon) | Earlier positive result; urine protein results | Today |
| Fever, lethargy, not eating | Almost all of them | Region and travel in the past month; tick product and last dose | Within 24 hours |
| Lameness that shifts legs, swollen or stiff joints | Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, E. ewingii, RMSF | Lyme vaccine status, region, when the limp began | Within 24 to 48 hours |
| Muscle wasting, stiffness, eye discharge, weight loss while still eating | American canine hepatozoonosis | Hunting, scavenging or eating prey; time in the South | Book promptly (within days) |
Vomiting and diarrhea have many non-tick causes; our guides on a dog that keeps vomiting and dog diarrhea warning signs help sort them out. Coughing appears in RMSF but has many other causes; see what to record when your dog is coughing.
Daily support for the whole season. Pure Majesty Pets Vet-Strength Flea & Tick Support is our #1 choice for ongoing support during flea and tick season: a daily liquid supplement, not a medication, with 62.7 mg of ultramicronized PEA and 7 named botanicals per mL, no garlic, no added essential oils, one formula for dogs and cats, dosed in mL by body weight. Made in North America, GMP, COA on every batch, $31.99 for 60 mL with free worldwide shipping.
How vets test for tick diseases
AAHA, citing CAPC, recommends testing dogs annually for tick-borne pathogens (AAHA), while a sick dog gets a broader workup.
| Annual screen (healthy dog) | Sick-dog workup |
|---|---|
| A blood test that commonly checks heartworm antigen plus antibodies to Lyme, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma (about 3.6 million US dogs a year in 2010–2012, Little 2014). | Blood count with platelets, antibody tests (paired 1–3 weeks apart for RMSF), PCR, a blood smear for Babesia, muscle biopsy for Hepatozoon. |
| A positive result means exposure, not necessarily disease or a need for antibiotics (CAPC). | Early tests can be negative, so the vet may treat on clinical suspicion, especially for RMSF. |
| Does not cover babesiosis, RMSF or hepatozoonosis. | Lyme-positive dogs get a urine protein check (ACVIM). |
Bring the timeline from the symptom checker. If cost is on your mind, our page on what a vet visit costs in 2026 lists real exam and test fees.
Treatment and recovery
Your vet picks the drug and dose. For the bacterial tick diseases, doxycycline is the treatment of choice: CAPC says all Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections respond to it, Merck calls it first-line for Lyme, and RMSF fever usually improves within days.
Babesiosis and hepatozoonosis need antiprotozoal drugs, and in both the infection may never be fully eliminated.
Antibiotics just in case after a tick bite are not recommended for Lyme or RMSF (CAPC Lyme, CAPC RMSF). And recovery does not mean immunity for ehrlichiosis: CAPC says protective immunity does not appear to develop, so reinfection is possible.
Recovery often means weeks of tablets, rest and a changed routine. If you want daily calm support for that stretch, Pure Majesty Pets Hemp CBD for Dogs ($31.99, 60 mL) is a bacon-flavored liquid with 30 mg CBD, 25 mg CBDA and 5 mg CBG per mL, formulated to support calm during occasional everyday stress such as changes in routine. It is a supplement for comfort and calm, not a treatment for any tick disease or its signs, and your vet stays in charge of the illness. Ask your vet before starting it, because cannabinoids can interact with medications; it is not intended for puppies under six months or pregnant or nursing dogs.
Preventing tick diseases in dogs
Tick disease prevention rests on a proven tick product and good habits. CAPC says all dogs should be treated year-round, throughout life, with tick control products, because seasonal use lets infestations and infections in (CAPC).
- A vet-chosen tick product, year-round. Our guides to every oral flea and tick pill and chew and the safest flea treatment for dogs by situation cover side effects, including caution with isoxazolines in dogs with a seizure history. Cat owners can compare oral flea and tick chewables for cats in a separate guide that covers over-the-counter and prescription options.
- Daily tick checks. The CDC advises checking pets for ticks daily, especially after time outdoors (CDC). Look around the ears and between the toes, where brown dog ticks often attach (VCA).
- Prompt, careful removal. Wear gloves, grip the tick close to the skin with fine-tipped tweezers and pull with steady pressure; do not crush, twist or jerk it (CAPC), and skip the hot match or petroleum jelly (VCA).
- Talk to your vet about the Lyme vaccine. It is the only vaccine for a dog tick disease (CDC). AAHA lists it as noncore, based on lifestyle and location (AAHA), and CAPC says it does not replace tick control. For another routine vaccine decision, the kennel cough shot, see this guide to Bordetella vaccine cost covering clinic exam fees and boosters.
- Annual screening, and a vet visit if your dog seems unwell after tick exposure. In multi-pet homes, what kills fleas on cats instantly covers the feline side.
- Fewer exposures. In tick areas, keep dogs on trails and out of tall grass and leaf litter (Merck), discourage dog fights, and limit hunting or scavenging where Gulf Coast ticks live. If a cat shares your home, how to check a cat for fleas is a useful companion read.
Multi-pet homes: permethrin dog products can kill cats, so read our explainer on why dog flea medicine is dangerous for cats and our guide to the best flea treatment for cats.
Our page on natural flea treatment for dogs explains what home remedies can and cannot do. For cats in the same home, there is also a guide to home remedies for fleas on cats and what to avoid. For worms and other parasites the tick product may not cover, see dog parasite treatment: what to treat, test and recheck. If diatomaceous earth is on your list of home options, read what the research says about diatomaceous earth for fleas first.
Daily skin and coat support during tick season
If you add a daily skin and coat supplement, the format decides how easy daily dosing is. Before choosing one, it helps to see the wider picture of common dog skin conditions and when each one needs a vet.
| Liquid vs chews vs powders vs tablets | How the dose is set | How it is given | Dogs and cats | Doses and ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid: Pure Majesty Pets Vet-Strength Flea & Tick Support | Measured in mL by body weight | Mixed into food, nothing to swallow whole | One formula for dogs and cats | Doses disclosed: 62.7 mg ultramicronized PEA + 7 named botanicals per mL; no garlic, no added essential oils; contains chicken and fish |
| Soft chews | Fixed dose per chew | Eaten like a treat | Check the label for each species | Check whether doses are listed and whether garlic is included |
| Powders | Measured by scoop | Mixed into food | Check the label for each species | Check whether doses are listed and whether garlic is included |
| Tablets or capsules | Fixed dose per tablet | Swallowed or hidden in food | Check the label for each species | Check whether doses are listed and whether garlic is included |
Active dogs that hike and run outdoors all season also put daily miles on their joints. For daily nutritional support of joints, skin and coat, Pure Majesty Pets Liquid Collagen for Dogs ($31.99) combines hydrolyzed type I and III collagen peptides with undenatured type II collagen, salmon oil and hyaluronic acid in one liquid. It is an everyday dietary supplement with no role in tick control or tick disease; it contains salmon oil and pork flavor, so check with your vet if your dog has food sensitivities.
Why Pure Majesty Pets Vet-Strength Flea & Tick Support
Each mL lists 62.7 mg of ultramicronized PEA and 134.4 mg of botanical extracts by name and dose: lemon balm 40.3 mg, thyme 26.9 mg, rosemary 22.4 mg, and calendula, dandelion leaf, lemongrass and fenugreek at 11.2 mg each, plus niacinamide 28.0 mg and choline chloride 14.6 mg.
It contains no garlic and no added essential oils, and the chicken-and-tuna liquid is dosed in mL by body weight and mixed into food. Measure in mL and follow the individual serving confirmed by your veterinarian. “Vet-Strength” is our range name, not a veterinary grade or approval.
Our formula hasn't been shown to kill or repel fleas or ticks; that job belongs to the tick product your vet recommends, while this daily liquid is built for skin and coat comfort all season long.
Built for daily, long-term use. Ultramicronized PEA has been studied as a daily ingredient. In an open-label study without a control group, 160 dogs with atopic dermatitis received PEA-um daily for 8 weeks, and itch scores fell from 5.7 to 3.6 cm on a 10 cm scale (Noli 2015).
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in cats with non-flea allergic dermatitis, the mean time to relapse was 40.5 days with PEA vs 22.2 days with placebo, with 25 cats analysable (Noli 2019). Both studies tested PEA alone, not our formula, and neither involved fleas or ticks.
The bottom line on dog tick diseases
Dog tick diseases range from silent Lyme exposure to RMSF and tick paralysis, which can turn serious within days. Check your dog daily, keep a vet-chosen tick product going all year, test annually, and call your vet if anything in the symptom checker matches.
Ready for the daily part of the routine? Shop Pure Majesty Pets Vet-Strength Flea & Tick Support, our #1 choice for ongoing support during flea and tick season and not a medication: 62.7 mg ultramicronized PEA + 7 named botanicals per mL, no garlic, no added essential oils, one formula for dogs and cats, $31.99 for 60 mL, free worldwide shipping.
More flea & tick guides
Dog tick diseases: frequently asked questions
Can a tick kill a dog?
Yes, although it is uncommon with prompt care. Rocky Mountain spotted fever kills up to 10% of infected dogs, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Severe babesiosis can turn fatal quickly, CAPC describes American canine hepatozoonosis as often fatal, and tick paralysis can stop a dog breathing within 1 to 5 days if the tick stays on.
How soon after a tick bite can a dog get sick?
Transmission can start within hours: CAPC says Ehrlichia and some Rickettsia can pass in as little as 3 to 6 hours of attachment, RMSF generally after 5 to 20 hours, and Lyme bacteria usually after 24 to 48 hours. Signs come later: often within 3 days for RMSF, 1 to 3 weeks for ehrlichiosis, 10 to 28 days for babesiosis, and usually 2 to 5 months for Lyme disease.
What diseases does the American dog tick carry?
In dogs, the American dog tick matters most for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tick paralysis. It can also carry tularemia and Ehrlichia canis. It does not spread Lyme disease: only blacklegged ticks do.
What are the main brown dog tick diseases?
CAPC links it to ehrlichiosis (E. canis), babesiosis (B. vogeli, probably B. gibsoni), Hepatozoon canis, and RMSF in parts of Arizona and the Southwest. Anaplasma platys transmission is suspected but not yet documented in North America.
Can my dog have a tick disease if I never found a tick?
Yes. Blacklegged tick nymphs are smaller than 2 mm, and the Merck Veterinary Manual says it is unrealistic to expect owners to find every tick in a dog's coat. Some infections skip the bite: hepatozoonosis comes from swallowing an infected tick, and Babesia gibsoni can spread through dog bites.
Can I catch a tick disease from my dog?
Not directly for Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, according to CDC, CAPC and Merck. The risk is shared ticks and crushed-tick fluids, so wear gloves and never crush a tick.
Is there a vaccine for dog tick diseases?
Only for Lyme disease, according to the CDC. CAPC adds that the Lyme vaccine does not replace tick control.
This article is for informational purposes and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian before starting any supplement, especially if your dog is pregnant, nursing, on medication, or has a diagnosed condition.