Lyme Disease Awareness in the Age of One Health - What the Pet Industry Needs to Know About Incidence, Technology, and Immune Support
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: A Disease That Crosses Every Boundary
2. The One Health Framework: Connecting Pets, People, and Planet
3. The Incidence Crisis: How Bad Is It?
4. Lyme Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
5. The Pet Industry's Role in the One Health Response
6. Technology Transforming Lyme Disease Prevention and Detection
7. Immune Supplements for Pets: Science-Backed Support
8. Climate Change, Tick Expansion, and the Road Ahead
9. A Call to Action for the Pet Industry
1. Introduction: A Disease That Crosses Every Boundary
Every spring, as temperatures rise and outdoor activity surges, a silent epidemic quietly re-emerges across North America and Europe. Lyme disease — caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus) — does not discriminate between species. It infects dogs, horses, cats, wildlife, and humans with equal indifference. It thrives in the spaces where our lives intersect with nature, and increasingly, it is thriving in our backyards, parks, and hiking trails.
For the pet industry, Lyme disease is not merely a veterinary concern — it is a defining public health challenge of our era. Dogs serve as both sentinels and victims of tick-borne disease. They venture into tick-infested environments, carry ticks back into homes, and develop serious illness when infected. At the same time, they represent an extraordinary opportunity: by protecting pets, we protect families, communities, and ecosystems.
This blog post explores Lyme disease through the lens of One Health — the globally recognized framework that acknowledges the inextricable link between human health, animal health, and environmental health. We examine the alarming rise in disease incidence, the cutting-edge technologies reshaping prevention and diagnosis, and the growing role of immune-supportive supplements in keeping pets resilient. For pet retailers, manufacturers, veterinary professionals, and pet owners alike, understanding Lyme disease in this broader context is no longer optional — it is essential.
2. The One Health Framework: Connecting Pets, People, and Planet
The concept of One Health is elegantly simple yet profoundly transformative: the health of humans, animals, and the environment are not separate domains — they are deeply, dynamically interconnected. Endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), One Health calls for integrated, cross-disciplinary collaboration to address health threats that span species and ecosystems.
Lyme disease is perhaps the quintessential One Health disease. Its transmission cycle involves at least three kingdoms of life: the Borrelia bacterium, the Ixodes tick vector, and a diverse array of vertebrate reservoir hosts — primarily white-footed mice, white-tailed deer, and other small mammals. Domestic dogs and cats enter this cycle as incidental hosts, exposed through the same environments that harbor wildlife reservoirs. Humans follow the same path.
The Zoonotic Bridge
Zoonotic diseases — those that pass between animals and humans — account for approximately 60% of all known infectious diseases and 75% of emerging infectious diseases globally. Lyme disease sits squarely in this category. While dogs cannot directly transmit Lyme disease to their owners, they act as critical tick transport vehicles. An infected tick that hitches a ride on a dog into the home can detach and subsequently bite a human family member. This indirect transmission pathway makes canine tick prevention a direct human health intervention.
The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) has long recognized this dynamic. As CAPC's CEO, Christopher Carpenter, DVM, stated in 2023: "Lyme disease, in particular, is an important One Health pathogen that occurs in both veterinary and human medical settings." This acknowledgment from a leading veterinary authority underscores why the pet industry must view its products and services not merely as animal care tools, but as components of a broader public health infrastructure.[1]
Dogs as Disease Sentinels
In epidemiology, a sentinel species is one whose health status provides early warning signals about environmental or disease threats to other species, including humans. Dogs are exceptional Lyme disease sentinels for several reasons:
• They share outdoor environments with their owners and are exposed to the same tick populations.
• They are tested annually for tick-borne diseases, generating rich epidemiological data.
• Their infection rates in a given region closely mirror human risk levels.
• Veterinary surveillance data can alert public health officials to emerging tick hotspots before human cases spike.
This sentinel role gives the pet industry a unique and powerful position in the One Health ecosystem. Every annual wellness exam, every tick test, every preventive product sold contributes data and protection that extends far beyond the individual animal.
3. The Incidence Crisis: How Bad Is It?
The numbers are stark, and they are getting worse. Lyme disease has become the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States, and its geographic footprint is expanding rapidly.
Human Incidence: A Surging Epidemic
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reported Lyme disease cases in the United States reached 89,468 in 2023 — a dramatic increase from approximately 30,000 cases annually reported in prior years. This surge is partly attributable to a revised 2022 case definition that captures a broader spectrum of confirmed and probable cases, but it also reflects genuine epidemiological growth.[2]
Regional incidence rates in 2023 tell a particularly alarming story. New England recorded a rate of 173.1 cases per 100,000 people, while the Middle Atlantic region reached 105.9 per 100,000. The South Atlantic region saw a rate of 33.0, and the East North Central region climbed to 27.2 — both representing significant increases from prior years. The CDC estimates that actual infections may be 10 times higher than reported figures, suggesting the true annual burden may approach or exceed 500,000 cases in the U.S. alone.[2]
Region
2022 Cases
2023 Cases
2023 Rate (per 100k)
New England
14,450
21,766
173.1
Middle Atlantic
31,108
46,068
105.9
South Atlantic
6,870
8,488
33.0
East North Central
6,813
9,371
27.2
West North Central
2,898
3,205
8.8
East South Central
139
210
1.1
Table 1: U.S. Lyme Disease Cases by Region, 2022–2023 (Source: CDC, 2025)
Canine Incidence: Dogs at the Frontline
Dogs face an even greater risk than their human companions. Because they spend more time outdoors, move through tall grass and underbrush, and lack the protective clothing that humans can wear, dogs are exposed to ticks at dramatically higher rates. It is estimated that between 1.4% and 13.3% of dogs in the United States test positive for Lyme disease, with rates varying significantly by region and season.[3]
The CAPC's 2023 Pet Parasite Forecast warned of higher-than-average Lyme disease risk for pets throughout the year, with continued geographic expansion southward and westward beyond the historically endemic Northeast and Upper Midwest. The forecast highlighted elevated risk in North Dakota, northeastern South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, eastern Kentucky, and a notable northern expansion into Canadian provinces including Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba.[1]
When a tick bites a dog, the probability of Borrelia transmission is approximately 50% if the tick has been attached for 24–48 hours. This transmission window is critical: it means that daily tick checks and rapid removal are not merely good practice — they are life-saving interventions.
The Market Responds: A Billion-Dollar Prevention Sector
The escalating incidence of Lyme disease has fueled explosive growth in the pet parasite prevention market. The global flea, tick, and heartworm products market was valued at USD 7.21 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 12.75 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. North America dominates this market, driven by high pet ownership rates — with 66% of U.S. households owning a pet according to the 2024 American Pet Products Association (APPA) survey — and strong awareness of vector-borne disease risks.[4]
4. Lyme Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Understanding how Lyme disease manifests in dogs is foundational knowledge for every stakeholder in the pet industry — from the retailer recommending a tick preventive to the pet owner monitoring their dog after a hike. The disease is insidious: many infected dogs show no symptoms at all, while others develop severe, life-threatening complications.
Clinical Signs
The most commonly observed symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include:
• Shifting-leg lameness (often the first and most characteristic sign)
• Fever (typically 103–105°F)
• Lethargy and reduced activity
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes and joints
• Pain and stiffness
In more severe cases, Lyme disease can progress to affect the kidneys (Lyme nephritis), heart, and nervous system. Lyme nephritis — the second most common syndrome in dogs — is generally fatal if not caught early. Neurological manifestations, including facial paralysis and seizure disorders, have also been documented.[5]
Diagnosis
Veterinary diagnosis of Lyme disease typically involves a combination of clinical history, physical examination, and serological testing. The C6 antibody test is the standard first-line diagnostic, detecting antibodies against the C6 peptide of Borrelia burgdorferi as early as 2–5 weeks post-infection. A positive C6 test is followed by the Quant C6 test to quantify antibody levels and guide treatment decisions. Urinalysis is also performed to assess kidney function, given the risk of Lyme nephritis.
Treatment
The standard treatment for Lyme disease in dogs is a 30-day course of doxycycline, an antibiotic that typically produces rapid improvement in clinical signs. Some dogs require extended treatment courses. While antibiotics are highly effective at resolving acute symptoms, they do not always eliminate the infection entirely, and some dogs experience chronic joint damage or recurring episodes. This reality underscores the critical importance of prevention over treatment — a principle that sits at the heart of the One Health approach.
5. The Pet Industry's Role in the One Health Response
The pet industry occupies a uniquely powerful position in the One Health ecosystem. With annual U.S. pet industry expenditures exceeding $150 billion and millions of pet owners interacting with pet retailers, groomers, trainers, and veterinary professionals every year, the industry has unparalleled reach into the households most at risk for Lyme disease exposure.
Education as a Public Health Tool
Pet retailers and service providers are often the first point of contact for pet owners seeking guidance on parasite prevention. A knowledgeable staff member at a pet store who can explain the difference between tick species, describe the transmission window, and recommend appropriate preventive products is performing a genuine public health function. Training programs that incorporate One Health principles — emphasizing that protecting pets protects families — can transform retail interactions into meaningful health interventions.
Product Innovation and Responsibility
The pet industry has a responsibility to ensure that the products it develops, markets, and sells are genuinely effective, safe, and accessible. This means:
• Investing in rigorous efficacy testing for tick preventives across diverse tick species and geographic regions.
• Developing products that address the full tick life cycle, not just adult ticks.
• Ensuring affordability and accessibility so that prevention is not a luxury available only to affluent pet owners.
• Communicating clearly about the limitations of individual products and the need for multi-modal prevention strategies.
Veterinary Partnership
The most effective One Health responses to Lyme disease involve close collaboration between the pet industry and veterinary professionals. Annual wellness exams that include tick-borne disease testing generate the surveillance data that epidemiologists need to track disease spread. Veterinary recommendations for tick preventives drive product adoption. And veterinary diagnosis of Lyme disease in dogs can alert public health officials to emerging risk areas before human cases surge. The pet industry should actively support and strengthen these veterinary partnerships through education, data sharing, and product development that aligns with clinical best practices.
6. Technology Transforming Lyme Disease Prevention and Detection
Innovation is reshaping every dimension of the Lyme disease challenge — from how we detect ticks on pets to how we diagnose infection and monitor animal health in real time. For the pet industry, these technological advances represent both opportunities and obligations: opportunities to offer genuinely transformative products, and obligations to ensure that innovation is grounded in evidence and accessible to all pet owners.
Advanced Diagnostic Technologies
The diagnostic landscape for Lyme disease in pets is evolving rapidly. Beyond the established C6 and Quant C6 antibody tests, several emerging technologies are poised to transform how quickly and accurately Lyme disease can be detected:
Point-of-Care Biosensors
Researchers at UCLA and other institutions have been developing next-generation biosensor platforms capable of detecting Borrelia antibodies with greater sensitivity and speed than conventional ELISA-based tests. These point-of-care (POC) devices aim to deliver results in minutes rather than days, enabling same-visit diagnosis and treatment initiation. For veterinary clinics, POC biosensors could dramatically reduce the window between tick exposure and treatment, improving outcomes and reducing the risk of disease progression.
PCR and Molecular Diagnostics
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, which detects Borrelia DNA directly in blood, urine, or tissue samples, offers high specificity and can confirm active infection rather than merely past exposure. While PCR has historically been used as a confirmatory test, advances in multiplexed PCR panels now allow simultaneous testing for multiple tick-borne pathogens — including Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia — in a single test run. This is particularly valuable given that ticks frequently carry multiple pathogens simultaneously.
Smart Wearables and GPS Technology for Pets
The smart pet collar market has exploded in recent years, with devices now offering GPS tracking, activity monitoring, heart rate measurement, and temperature sensing. From a Lyme disease prevention perspective, these technologies offer several meaningful benefits:
• Activity monitoring can detect subtle changes in gait, energy levels, and movement patterns that may indicate early-stage Lyme disease before overt symptoms appear.
• GPS tracking allows owners to identify the specific environments their pets have visited, enabling targeted tick checks and informing veterinarians about potential exposure locations.
• Geofencing features can alert owners when pets enter known high-risk tick habitats, prompting preventive action.
• Temperature sensors can flag fever — one of the earliest signs of Lyme disease — enabling earlier veterinary consultation.
Leading smart collar platforms in 2024 include devices offering up to 10 days of battery life, real-time GPS, and companion apps that provide detailed health analytics. As these technologies mature and become more affordable, they have the potential to become standard tools in the Lyme disease prevention toolkit.
Digital Surveillance and Predictive Mapping
One of the most powerful applications of technology in the One Health response to Lyme disease is the development of predictive risk mapping tools. The CAPC's annual Pet Parasite Forecast, which uses veterinary diagnostic data from millions of annual pet tests, represents a sophisticated form of digital epidemiological surveillance. By aggregating canine Lyme disease test results geographically and temporally, CAPC can identify emerging hotspots and forecast risk levels months in advance.
Academic researchers have taken this further, developing integrated One Health risk maps that combine tick habitat modeling, wildlife population data, human behavioral patterns, and climate projections to produce granular, county-level Lyme disease risk assessments. These tools are increasingly being used by public health departments, veterinary practices, and pet industry companies to target prevention efforts where they are most needed.
Tick Detection Apps and AI-Powered Tools
A new generation of smartphone applications is empowering pet owners to take a more active role in tick surveillance. AI-powered tick identification apps allow users to photograph a tick found on their pet and receive instant species identification, along with information about the diseases that tick species may carry and the appropriate next steps. Some apps also enable users to report tick encounters, contributing to citizen science databases that inform public health surveillance.
For the pet industry, these digital tools represent an opportunity to add value beyond physical products. Retailers and manufacturers that integrate educational apps, tick risk alerts, and health monitoring platforms into their customer experience are positioning themselves as genuine partners in pet health — not merely product vendors.
7. Immune Supplements for Pets: Science-Backed Support
While tick prevention and early diagnosis are the cornerstones of Lyme disease management, there is growing recognition in the veterinary and pet wellness communities that a robust immune system is a critical line of defense. A dog with a strong, well-regulated immune response is better equipped to resist infection, recover more quickly when infected, and tolerate the physiological stress of antibiotic treatment.
The pet supplement market has responded to this understanding with a growing array of immune-supportive nutraceuticals. It is important to note that no supplement can prevent Lyme disease or replace tick preventives and vaccination. However, evidence-based immune support can meaningfully contribute to overall resilience. Here is what the science currently supports:
Medicinal Mushrooms: Beta-Glucan Powerhouses
Among the most well-researched immune supplements for pets are medicinal mushrooms, particularly Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Maitake (Grifola frondosa), Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), and Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis). These fungi are rich in beta-glucans — specifically 1,3/1,6 beta-glucans — which are polysaccharides that prime and modulate the innate immune system. Beta-glucans activate macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells, enhancing the body's ability to identify and respond to pathogens without triggering excessive inflammation.
Veterinary formulations such as ThorneVet's Immune Support Formula combine multiple medicinal mushrooms with adaptogenic botanicals and antioxidants, providing comprehensive immune modulation. These products are used in veterinary clinics across the country and are formulated specifically for canine and feline physiology.[6]
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Taming Inflammation
Omega-3 fatty acids — particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) from fish oil, sardines, anchovies, or algal oil — play a critical role in immune regulation. Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of many tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, and omega-3s help modulate this inflammatory response, allowing the immune system to focus on genuine threats rather than being consumed by systemic inflammation.
For dogs recovering from Lyme disease or those in high-risk environments, omega-3 supplementation supports joint health (particularly relevant given Lyme-associated arthritis), skin barrier integrity (the body's first line of defense against tick attachment), and overall immune efficiency. Natural vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) should be paired with omega-3 supplements to prevent oxidation.
Probiotics: The Gut-Immune Axis
The gut microbiome is now recognized as a central regulator of immune function, with an estimated 70–90% of the immune system residing in the gut. Canine-specific probiotic strains — particularly Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus acidophilus — optimize gut flora composition, supporting both local gut immunity and systemic immune responses. This is especially important for dogs undergoing antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease, as doxycycline can significantly disrupt the gut microbiome. Probiotic supplementation during and after antibiotic therapy can help restore microbial balance and support immune recovery.
Adaptogenic Botanicals: Stress and Immune Resilience
Chronic stress suppresses immune function, and dogs in high-risk tick environments often experience elevated physiological stress. Adaptogenic herbs help the body maintain homeostasis under stress, supporting immune efficiency without overstimulating immune responses. Key adaptogens with evidence in veterinary applications include:
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, KSM-66 extract): Regulates cortisol, supports immune modulation, and reduces inflammation.
• Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus): A traditional immune tonic that enhances T-cell and NK cell activity.
• Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus): Supports stress adaptation and immune modulation.
• Echinacea: Stimulates macrophages and T-cells; often used before periods of high exposure risk.
Key Vitamins and Minerals
Several micronutrients play essential roles in immune function and are worth highlighting for pet owners and industry professionals:
Nutrient
Immune Role
Relevance to Lyme Disease
Vitamin C
Antioxidant; supports collagen and barrier tissues
Demand spikes under infection stress; supports recovery
Vitamin E
Protects cell membranes from oxidative damage
Supports skin integrity; pairs with omega-3s
Zinc
Cofactor in immune enzyme development
Deficiency increases infection susceptibility
Selenium
Essential for immune enzyme function
Supports antioxidant defense during infection
Coenzyme Q10
Antioxidant; cellular energy for immune cells
Supports immune cell function and recovery
Table 2: Key Immune-Supportive Nutrients for Dogs in Lyme Disease Contexts
Spotlight: A-Plus Naturals Immunity Blend for Cats and Dogs
One product that exemplifies the One Health philosophy in pet supplementation is the A-Plus Naturals Immunity Blend — a plant-based, vegan bacon-flavored powder formulated for both cats and dogs. Founded in 2024 by serial entrepreneur and pharmaceutical expert Helena van der Merwe, A-Plus Naturals was developed in direct response to the growing demand for preventative, daily immune support that addresses the root causes of pet illness rather than merely treating symptoms.[7]
What sets A-Plus Naturals apart is its carefully curated, science-backed ingredient stack that directly addresses the immune and inflammatory pathways most relevant to tick-borne disease resilience. The blend combines:
• Larch Arabinogalactan — a prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria and stimulates natural killer (NK) cell and macrophage activity, directly priming the innate immune response.
• Astragalus Extract (Astragalus membranaceus) — a well-established adaptogenic herb that enhances T-cell and NK cell function, supports stress adaptation, and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries as an immune tonic.
• Shiitake & Reishi Mushrooms — rich in 1,3/1,6 beta-glucans that modulate immune cell activity, reduce chronic inflammation, and support the body's ability to identify and neutralize pathogens.
• Turmeric & Ginger — potent anti-inflammatory superfoods that target the chronic, low-grade inflammation that underlies joint pain, skin issues, and immune dysregulation — all conditions exacerbated by Lyme disease.
• L-Lysine — an essential amino acid that supports immune cell production and is particularly beneficial for cats, where it plays a role in respiratory immune defense.
• Bacillus subtilis (probiotic) — a spore-forming probiotic strain that is highly stable in powder form, survives the digestive tract, and actively supports gut microbiome balance and immune regulation.
The formulation is notable for its dual-species design — a relatively rare feature in the supplement market. Dogs receive a weight-adjusted dose (mixed directly into food), while cats receive a fixed 1/3 scoop daily, making it practical for multi-pet households. The product is vegan, free from artificial dyes, and has received regulatory review from Health Canada (October 2025), adding a meaningful layer of credibility for pet owners and veterinary professionals seeking verified, compliant products.[7]
From a One Health perspective, A-Plus Naturals' approach is instructive. By combining gut health (prebiotic + probiotic), immune modulation (mushrooms + astragalus + arabinogalactan), and anti-inflammatory support (turmeric + ginger) in a single daily supplement, it addresses the interconnected physiological systems that determine how well a pet can withstand environmental health threats — including tick-borne pathogens. Pet owners in Lyme-endemic regions who are already using tick preventives and scheduling annual wellness exams may find that a daily immune-supportive supplement like A-Plus Naturals provides an additional layer of whole-body resilience for their cats and dogs.
A-Plus Naturals is a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA), reflecting its commitment to integrative, evidence-informed pet wellness. The product is available at apluspets.net and available wholesale on Faire.
A Note on Supplement Quality and Veterinary Guidance
The pet supplement market is largely unregulated, and product quality varies enormously. Pet industry professionals have a responsibility to recommend only products that are third-party tested, formulated by veterinary professionals, and free from unnecessary fillers, GMOs, and contaminants. Equally important is the consistent message that supplements are adjuncts to, not replacements for, veterinary care, tick prevention, and vaccination. Always encourage pet owners to consult their veterinarian before introducing new supplements, particularly for animals with existing health conditions or those on medication.
8. Climate Change, Tick Expansion, and the Road Ahead
No discussion of Lyme disease in the One Health context is complete without addressing the role of climate change. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and altered seasonal cycles are fundamentally reshaping the geographic distribution and seasonal activity of Ixodes ticks — and with them, the risk of Lyme disease.
Expanding Tick Ranges
Warmer winters are allowing tick populations to survive and reproduce in regions that were previously too cold to support them. The CAPC has documented a consistent southward and westward expansion of Ixodes scapularis populations, with Lyme disease now being detected in dogs in states and Canadian provinces where it was previously rare or absent. This geographic expansion means that pet owners and veterinary professionals in traditionally low-risk areas can no longer assume their patients are safe from Lyme disease.
Extended Tick Seasons
Warmer autumns and earlier springs are extending the tick activity season, with adult ticks now remaining active well into November and December in many regions. This has significant implications for pet owners who may relax tick prevention protocols after summer, and for the pet industry, which must communicate the importance of year-round prevention rather than seasonal protection.
Wildlife Population Dynamics
Climate change is also altering the populations and distributions of key wildlife reservoir hosts. White-tailed deer — the primary host for adult Ixodes ticks — are expanding their range northward. White-footed mice, the primary reservoir for Borrelia burgdorferi, are thriving in fragmented suburban landscapes. Urban expansion and habitat fragmentation are bringing these reservoir hosts — and the ticks they carry — into closer contact with pets and people. This is precisely the kind of complex, multi-species, environmental health challenge that the One Health framework is designed to address.
The Vaccine Frontier
Vaccination remains one of the most powerful tools in the Lyme disease prevention arsenal. Canine Lyme vaccines — including OspA-based vaccines that target the bacterium within the tick before transmission occurs — are available and recommended by veterinarians in endemic areas. The Lyme disease vaccines for dogs market is growing, reflecting increasing awareness and adoption. Research into reservoir-targeted vaccines — designed to immunize wildlife hosts like mice and deer, thereby breaking the transmission cycle at its source — represents a genuinely exciting frontier in One Health innovation.
9. A Call to Action for the Pet Industry
Lyme disease is not a problem that any single sector can solve alone. It requires the kind of integrated, cross-disciplinary, multi-species thinking that One Health embodies. The pet industry — with its reach into millions of households, its influence over pet owner behavior, and its capacity for product and service innovation — has a critical role to play.
Here is what meaningful engagement looks like:
• Educate: Train staff at every level — from retail associates to product developers — on Lyme disease biology, One Health principles, and the evidence base for prevention products and immune supplements.
• Advocate: Support policies that fund tick surveillance, Lyme disease research, and One Health infrastructure. Engage with veterinary and public health organizations to amplify the message that pet health is human health.
• Innovate: Invest in technologies — smart wearables, diagnostic tools, digital platforms — that empower pet owners to take a proactive role in Lyme disease prevention and detection.
• Collaborate: Partner with veterinary professionals, public health agencies, and research institutions to share data, align messaging, and develop integrated prevention strategies.
• Commit to Quality: Ensure that every tick preventive, immune supplement, and diagnostic tool that reaches the market meets rigorous standards of efficacy, safety, and transparency.
The stakes could not be higher. In 2023, nearly 90,000 Lyme disease cases were reported in the United States — and the true burden is likely many times greater. Dogs are at the frontline of this epidemic, serving simultaneously as its most vulnerable victims and its most powerful sentinels. By embracing the One Health framework and taking decisive action across education, technology, and immune support, the pet industry can transform itself from a passive bystander into an active force for health — for pets, for families, and for the planet.
"The health of humans, animals, and ecosystems is one and the same. When we protect our pets from Lyme disease, we protect ourselves, our communities, and the natural world we share. That is the promise — and the power — of One Health."
References
[1] Carpenter, C. (2023). CAPC 2023 Pet Parasite Forecast. Veterinary Practice News. https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/lyme-disease-likely-at-higher-risk-this-year-capc-says/
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Lyme Disease Surveillance Data. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/data-research/facts-stats/surveillance-data-1.html
[3] Kleszynski, B. (2024). Lyme Disease in Dogs. PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/lyme-disease-dogs
[4] Straits Research. (2025). Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Products Market Size, Trends, Forecast to 2033. https://straitsresearch.com/press-release/global-flea-tick-and-heartworm-products-market-share
[5] Straubinger, R.K. (2024). Lyme Disease (Lyme Borreliosis) in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/disorders-affecting-multiple-body-systems-of-dogs/lyme-disease-lyme-borreliosis-in-dogs
[6] ThorneVet. (2025). Immune Support Formula (formerly Immugen). https://thornevet.com/product/immune-support-formula/
[7] A-Plus Naturals LLC. (2025). A-Plus Naturals Immunity Blend for Cats and Dogs. AHVMA Associate Member. https://apluspets.net
