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Pets guideLyme disease vaccine for dogs
Who the dog Lyme vaccine is for, how long it lasts, what it can and cannot do, and the questions to ask your vet.
Quick answer
Yes, there are Lyme disease vaccines for dogs. Vets recommend them based on where you live and how much your dog is around ticks, and they are not considered routine in low-risk areas. Protection lasts about a year, so boosters are needed. A vaccine does not treat an existing infection and does not replace tick control.
- CAPC: Whether to vaccinate should be based on an individual risk assessment of your location and your dog’s tick exposure. Routine vaccination is not warranted in areas of the U.S. where Lyme is not established.
- CAPC: Vaccination does not replace tick control, because vaccines may not protect against all strains of the bacteria.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Immunity lasts about one year. Dogs that have been exposed to ticks should be tested for existing infection before vaccination, and vaccinating an already infected dog has little or no treatment effect.
What kinds of Lyme vaccines are there?
Two general types of Lyme vaccine are licensed for dogs, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual:
- Bacterins, made from whole, inactivated Lyme bacteria.
- Recombinant vaccines, made from selected proteins of the bacteria rather than the whole organism.
Cornell University’s diagnostic lab notes that the available vaccines contain OspA, an outer surface protein of the Lyme bacteria, so vaccinated dogs make antibodies to it. Different products are made by different companies. We don’t recommend specific brands. Your vet can explain the options they carry and why.
Which dogs should get the Lyme vaccine?
There is no single rule. Vets weigh several things:
- Where you live and travel. Lyme is most common in the Northeast, upper Midwest and West Coast states, and rare in the South unless dogs travel. Check your area on the CAPC prevalence maps or our risk map.
- Your dog’s lifestyle. Hiking, hunting, camping, and time in woods, tall grass or leaf litter all raise tick exposure.
- Your dog’s health history, including past Lyme test results.
Because CAPC says routine vaccination isn’t warranted in non-endemic areas, a city dog in a low-risk region may not need it, while a dog that hikes in New England might. This is a decision to make with your vet.
What the vaccine does and doesn’t do
| The vaccine can | The vaccine can’t |
|---|---|
| Help lower the chance of infection in dogs at risk | Treat a dog that is already infected |
| Add a layer of protection on top of tick control | Protect against other tick-borne diseases, such as anaplasmosis or ehrlichiosis |
| Provide protection for about a year | Guarantee protection against every strain, according to CAPC |
That is why CAPC still recommends year-round tick prevention for vaccinated dogs. See our dog prevention guide for tick control options.
Will the vaccine make my dog test positive?
It depends on the test. The C6 test, commonly used for screening, looks for antibodies that come only from natural infection, so the Merck Veterinary Manual notes vaccination does not cause a positive C6 result. Older whole-cell tests can give false positives after vaccination, according to CAPC. Cornell’s multiplex test separates vaccine antibodies (OspA) from infection antibodies (OspC and OspF), which is why the lab asks for the vaccine name and date.
Always tell your vet, or a new vet, whether your dog has had a Lyme vaccine.
A vaccine is a medical decision for your vet. Talk to your vet about whether your dog needs it, the schedule, possible side effects, and whether your dog should be tested first. If your dog seems unwell after any vaccine, contact your vet.
Questions to ask your vet
- How common is Lyme disease in our county and the places we travel?
- Given my dog’s lifestyle, do you recommend the Lyme vaccine?
- Should my dog be tested before the first dose?
- How many doses are needed at first, and how often are boosters given?
- Which tick preventive do you recommend alongside the vaccine?
Is there a Lyme vaccine for people?
Dog vaccines are for dogs only. The situation for people is different; read our page on the Lyme disease vaccine for humans. For protecting your family now, see Lyme disease prevention.
Frequently asked questions
Does my dog need the Lyme vaccine?
It depends on your area and your dog’s tick exposure. CAPC says the decision should be based on an individual risk assessment and that routine vaccination is not warranted where Lyme is not established. Your vet can advise.
How long does the dog Lyme vaccine last?
The Merck Veterinary Manual says immunity lasts about one year, so boosters are given to keep protection going.
Can a vaccinated dog still get Lyme disease?
It is possible. CAPC notes vaccines may not protect against all strains, which is why tick control is still recommended for vaccinated dogs.
Can the Lyme vaccine treat a dog that already has Lyme?
No. Merck notes vaccinating an already infected dog has little or no treatment effect. Dogs with signs of Lyme disease are treated with antibiotics.
Should my dog be tested before getting the Lyme vaccine?
Merck recommends testing dogs that have been exposed to ticks for existing infection before vaccination. Ask your vet whether that applies to your dog.