Prevalence and Risk Factors
Canine Lyme disease is well documented in Canada.1 The disease is endemic in five regions: southern and eastern Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, southeastern Manitoba, and southern British Columbia. In addition, one region of emerging risk has been identified—southern Québec—which shares borders with endemic regions. Migratory birds spread ticks from endemic to non-endemic regions, causing the disease to spread. Approximately 10% of ticks in non-endemic areas are infected with B. burgdorferi.1
Dogs living in, or traveling to, areas with a high prevalence of canine Lyme disease are at the greatest risk.2 Outdoor, hunting, and field-trial dogs in tick-infested areas would have the most exposure to infected ticks, putting them at particular risk.
In high-prevalence areas, vaccinating puppies early in life, before exposure occurs, offers the best means of protection.
References:1. Ogden NH, Lindsay LR, Morshed M, Sockett PN, Artsob H. The emergence of Lyme disease in Canada. CMAJ. 2009;180(12):1221–1224.
2. Greene CE. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders Elsevier; 2006.
