Protection

There are two ways to protect dogs from Lyme disease. The first is to stop the tick. The second is to stop the disease-causing bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi.

To protect dogs from ticks, dog owners should use a tick repellent collar or medication. Also, owners should check their dogs for ticks after they have been outdoors and remove any ticks promptly. These measures can help, but are not always 100% effective. For that reason, vaccination is recommended for dogs at risk. Lyme vaccination can protect dogs from B. burgdorferi infection.

Dogs have been vaccinated for Lyme disease since 1990 and side effects have been rare. When they occur, they are usually mild and typically resolve within a few days. Sometimes dogs will get a small, tender swelling at the injection site, but it goes away very quickly.

For more information on Nobivac™ Lyme, a highly effective Lyme vaccine from Merck Animal Health, click here.