New Tick-Borne Diseases Spreading in 2026
Start here
Ticks, and the diseases they carry, are expanding their range and staying active later into the year, so year-round prevention now matters in many regions. Beyond Lyme disease, dogs face threats like anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and emerging or newly recognized tick-borne illnesses. Use a vet-recommended preventive all year, check for ticks daily, and ask your vet about annual tick-disease screening.
Why are tick-borne diseases increasing?
Several trends are pushing tick risk higher. Milder winters and changing climate patterns let ticks survive and stay active in more months and move into areas where they were once rare, including farther north. Growing deer, rodent, and wildlife populations help ticks spread, and expanding suburbs put pets and people in closer contact with tick habitat.
The result is that tick season is stretching toward year-round in many places, and diseases once considered regional are turning up in new areas. For the latest, region-specific picture, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) publishes forecast maps that are worth checking each year.
Which tick-borne diseases should dog owners know about?
Beyond Lyme disease, several others affect dogs, and their ranges are shifting:
- Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, causing fever, lethargy, joint pain, and blood-cell abnormalities
- Babesiosis, which attacks red blood cells and can cause anemia
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be severe
- Lyme disease, which can cause lameness and, less commonly, kidney problems
Newly recognized ticks and pathogens, such as the spread of the Asian longhorned tick, are also drawing attention as researchers track what they may transmit. Because specifics evolve, your vet and CAPC are the best sources for what's active where you live.
What symptoms should I watch for?
Tick-borne diseases can be vague and slow to appear, sometimes weeks after a bite. Watch for:
- Fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite
- Lameness or shifting-leg joint pain and stiffness
- Swollen joints or lymph nodes
- Pale gums, weakness, or unexplained bruising/bleeding
- Reluctance to move or a generally "off" dog
Many infected dogs show subtle or delayed signs, so tell your vet if your dog has had tick exposure, even without obvious symptoms. Early testing and treatment lead to much better outcomes.
How do I protect my dog year-round?
Prevention is the best defense, and "year-round" is now the standard advice in much of the country:
- Use a vet-recommended tick preventive every month, all year, not just in summer.
- Check for ticks daily, running your hands over the whole body, especially ears, neck, armpits, groin, and between toes.
- Remove ticks promptly and correctly with fine tweezers, pulling straight out near the skin.
- Keep grass trimmed and avoid dense brush on walks where you can.
- Ask your vet about the Lyme vaccine and annual tick-disease screening.
Set monthly reminders for tick preventive in Tavi and log any tick removals with the date and location on the body, so if symptoms appear weeks later, you have an exposure record and a vet-ready PDF to share.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need tick prevention in winter now?
In many regions, yes. Ticks can be active whenever temperatures rise above freezing, and milder winters mean longer, sometimes year-round activity. Most veterinarians and the CAPC now recommend year-round prevention rather than seasonal use. Check your local risk with your vet and CAPC forecast maps, and don't stop preventives just because it's cold.
How soon after a tick bite can disease appear?
It varies by disease, but signs can appear days to weeks, or occasionally longer, after a bite, and some dogs stay subtly ill or show no early signs at all. That delay is why recording tick exposures matters, and why you should mention any known bite to your vet even if your dog seems fine.
What's the right way to remove a tick from my dog?
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick-removal tool, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight out with steady pressure without twisting or crushing it. Clean the area and wash your hands. Avoid folk methods like burning or petroleum jelly. If the mouthparts stay embedded or the area gets inflamed, contact your vet.
Should my dog be tested for tick diseases?
Many vets include tick-borne disease screening in the annual wellness panel, especially in higher-risk areas or if your dog has had known exposure. Because some infections cause subtle or delayed signs, screening can catch problems early. Ask your veterinarian whether yearly testing makes sense for your dog based on your region and lifestyle.
Tavi's guides are informational and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. When in doubt, call your veterinarian. Sources: Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC); American Kennel Club (AKC); American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); VCA Animal Hospitals; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
All guides