How Much Does the Lyme Disease Vaccine Cost for Dogs in 2024?

This article was approved by Lemonade’s favorite vet, Dr. Stephanie Liff.

Lyme disease is a serious concern for dog owners, especially those living in areas where ticks are prevalent. In 2024, the cost of the Lyme disease vaccine for dogs ranges from $30 to $65 per dose, and can be a vital part of your dog’s preventive health care plan.

Let’s explore how to help safeguard your furry friend against Lyme disease.

What is Lyme disease? 

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, particularly the black-legged deer tick and western black-legged tick. Dogs that spend time in grassy, wooded areas or regions where ticks are common are at higher risk. 

Symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs can include:

• Fever
• Limping
• Swollen joints 
• Loss of appetite 
• Lethargy

If caught early, Lyme disease can typically be treated with a round of antibiotics, and the prognosis is good that your pooch will recover and lead a normal life. If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a tick, you should take them to the vet right away, even if they haven’t started showing symptoms. Early detection is key to an effective recovery. 

However, if the disease is left untreated, it can lead to more severe health issues such as kidney damage or issues with the nervous system. According to the AVMA, about 1% to 5% of dogs infected with Lyme disease develop a kidney disease called Lyme nephritis, which can be fatal. 

Lemonade’s vet expert Dr. Liff advises Lyme disease prevention is best done as a three-pronged approach: 

1. Giving your dog oral or topical, year-round prevention
2. Checking your pet for ticks any time that they are in a tick-infested area, such as after hikes in the woods or after running around in grassy fields
3. Getting the Lyme disease vaccination

Where is Lyme disease most common? 

Lyme disease is particularly prevalent in certain US regions where black-legged ticks thrive, as they are the primary carriers of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, or b. burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. 

Dogs living in these areas are at a higher risk of encountering tick bites that can lead to this infectious disease, as well as other tick-borne diseases.

The northeastern U.S., as well as the upper Midwest, report some of the highest cases of Lyme disease. In these regions, the lush, wooded environments make ideal habitats for ticks, increasing the likelihood of infection. 

U.S. States where Lyme disease is most active	The most common ticks in each state, and where they can be found
Maine	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick and the American Dog Tick, primarily found along the southern coast and expanding inland.
New Hampshire	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick and the American Dog Tick. These ticks are primarily found in wooded and grassy areas, with higher populations in the southeastern part of the state.
Rhode Island	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick and the Lone Star Tick. These ticks are primarily found in wooded and grassy areas, with hotspots including Narragansett, Tiverton, Charlestown, and Jamestown.
New York	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick, American Dog Tick, and Lone Star Tick. These ticks are primarily found in wooded and grassy areas throughout the state, with higher activity in the spring, early summer, and fall.
Pennsylvania	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick, American Dog Tick, and Lone Star Tick. These ticks are primarily found in wooded areas, grassy fields, and near rural or secluded homes, with activity peaking in the warmer months.
Maryland	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick, American Dog Tick, and Lone Star Tick. These ticks are primarily found in wooded areas, grassy fields, and areas with dense undergrowth, with activity peaking in the warmer months
Virginia	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick, American Dog Tick, and Lone Star Tick. These ticks are primarily found in suburban forests, grassy fields, and areas with leaf litter, with activity peaking in the warmer months.
Vermont	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick and the American Dog Tick. These ticks are primarily found in wooded areas, fields with tall grass, and areas with little tree cover, with peak activity in the spring and fall.
Massachusetts	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick and the American Dog Tick. These ticks are primarily found in wooded or bushy areas with high grass or leaf litter, with peak activity in the spring and summer.
Connecticut	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick and the American Dog Tick. These ticks are primarily found in wooded areas, grassy fields, and areas with thick underbrush, with peak activity from late spring through summer.
New Jersey	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick, American Dog Tick, and Lone Star Tick. These ticks are primarily found in forested areas with dense shrub layers, old-field environments, and along forest edges, with peak activity in the spring and summer.
Delaware	The most common ticks are the Lone Star Tick, Blacklegged (Deer) Tick, American Dog Tick, Gulf Coast Tick, and Longhorned Tick. These ticks are primarily found in forested areas, meadows, and areas with tall grasses, with peak activity in the spring and summer.
West Virginia	The most common ticks are the American Dog Tick, Blacklegged (Deer) Tick, and Lone Star Tick. These ticks are primarily found in mixed forests, woodland edges, and dense woodlands, with peak activity from late spring through early fall.
Wisconsin	The most common ticks are the Deer (Blacklegged) Tick and the American Dog (Wood) Tick. These ticks are primarily found in wooded areas, areas with tall grass or brush, and forest edges, with peak activity from late spring through early fall.
Minnesota	The most common ticks are the Blacklegged (Deer) Tick and the American Dog (Wood) Tick. These ticks are primarily found in wooded, brushy areas, especially along trails and the edges of forests, with peak activity from spring through fall.

It’s essential for pet owners in these regions to be vigilant and practice regular tick checks during tick season. If you find a tick on your pooch, knowing how to remove them safely is key. Pet parents should also consider vaccination to protect their furry friends from potential nervous system complications associated with untreated Lyme disease.

How does the Lyme disease vaccine work?

The Lyme disease vaccine is administered as a shot and works by introducing antigens, specifically outer surface protein A (OspA) from the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium, into your dog’s body. Some vaccines, such as the Zoetis Lyme disease vaccine, also contain outer surface protein C (OspC) in combination with OspA, which is thought to make it more effective in preventing Lyme disease. 

 When your pup gets the vaccine, their immune system recognizes these antigens as intruders and starts producing antibodies to fight them off.

These antibodies are super important because they help neutralize the bacteria, keeping it from causing an infection if your dog gets bitten by a tick later on. This immune response really lowers the chances of your dog developing Lyme disease.

Now, it’s worth noting that the Lyme disease vaccine is considered “non-core” or nonessential. It’s usually recommended for pets living in areas of the U.S. where tick-borne diseases are more common.

There are also other non-core vaccines that might be suggested based on your dog’s lifestyle, like Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza, and Bordetella (which causes kennel cough). ”Core” vaccines for every pup are considered to be Rabies and DHPP (that covers distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza).

How much does the Lyme disease vaccine cost?

On average, the Lyme disease vaccine costs between $30 and $65 per dose in 2024. Low-cost vaccination clinics or animal shelters may offer it at a reduced price, especially when included in a package with other essential pet vaccinations.

The cost of the Lyme disease vaccine can vary based on factors such as:

• Where you live
• Whether it is administered at a veterinary clinic or a low-cost vaccination clinic
• If it’s part of a vaccination package 

How often do dogs need the Lyme disease vaccine?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all puppy vaccination schedule, and you should always consult your vet to come up with the best vaccination schedule for your canine companion. 

If your pooch is a Lyme disease vaccine candidate, the initial vaccination protocol typically involves two doses, administered two to four weeks apart. After the initial series, dogs require a booster annually to maintain immunity. 

Dr. Liff advises “Most protocols recommend annual vaccination, with biannual screening for Lyme disease, depending on your dog’s risk of contracting Lyme disease. Your pet should also be screened anytime you remove a tick.”

For example, if you live in the Arizona desert where ticks are not a major threat to pups, but take trips with your pooch to visit family in New York every year where ticks are abundant, annual screenings for Lyme disease may be sufficient. On the other hand, if you live in the Catskills, your pup is much more likely to encounter ticks, and would probably benefit from screenings. every six months. 

Does pet insurance cover the cost of the Lyme disease vaccine?

Yes, if your pet insurance plan includes wellness coverage, then chances are it could help cover the costs of the Lyme disease vaccine, when they’re administered or supervised by a licensed vet. But the specifics will depend on the coverages you chose when signing up. 

When you include the Puppy/Kitten Preventative Care Package on your Lemonade Pet policy, for example, your puppy will be eligible for coverage on up to six vaccines a year—which could include the initial Lyme disease vaccine and boosters.  

This package could also help cover the costs associated with microchip implantation, spay/neuter procedures, heartworm, flea, and tick prevention, heartworm tests, and more. 

For adult dogs, Lemonade’s Preventative Care or Preventative+ Package also includes up to three vaccinations per year, which could help cover the costs of the Lyme disease vaccine. 

What are the potential side effects of the Lyme disease vaccine?

Like any vaccine, the Lyme disease vaccine can cause side effects, although they are generally mild. Common side effects may include:

• Slight swelling or soreness at the injection site
• Mild fever 
• Lethargy

In rare cases, more serious side effects can occur, such as:

• Hives
• Difficulty breathing
• Facial swelling

Always monitor your dog after vaccination and contact your veterinarian if you notice any concerning symptoms. If your vet is not available, take your pet to the closest emergency vet. 

It’s important to remember that the benefits of protecting your dog from Lyme disease through vaccination far outweigh the potential risk of side effects.

Before we go…

Investing in pet insurance early in your pup’s life can help provide your fur fam with extensive coverage—from Lyme disease vaccines, to unforeseen accidents and illnesses as they grow up into adult dogs. 

Did you know that at Lemonade Pet you can cover your pooch with dog insurance from the time they’re two months old? 

Click below to get your quote started today.

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A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.