Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog is vomiting and not eating after a tick bite. Is it Lyme?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Papillon | Male | neutered | 12 years old | 10 lbs

A fully engorged deer tick was removed from my papillon a week ago. In the last three days my dog won’t eat his wet food even without kibble mixed into. He is also vomiting daily and not drinking as much water as usual. Could it be Lyme disease?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 23rd, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Charlie. Oh no, poor boy. Typically signs of Lyme disease include a loss of appetite, fever, reduced energy, lameness, stiffness, and swelling of the joints. It's not typically vomiting, but it could be another tick borne disease. I'm concerned about him, and I think it's best he sees a vet now asap. I would take him into one first thing in the morning. Best of luck.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi- very worried about our 8 yr old golden won’t eat, is lame to the point that he walks on 3 legs., panting, will drink water, will eat a small amount of yogurt spoon fed.He has had hip issues.Cosequin. He will throw up water. We are not sure if pe
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Loss of appetite and vomiting can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. Lameness can be due to discomfort possibly due to arthritis or something else. This may be related or perhaps may be unrelated and another issue. Lyme disease is a possibility though this is not very common. I recommend that you have Jakey evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my dog was bitten by a tick about two weeks ago ...he is eating treats but no desirer to eat his supper...do you think he may have lyme disease he seems fine other than that...nothing unusual
It takes about 2 months for a dog to be positive for Lyme disease. I would wait another 6 weeks and make an appointment with your veterinarian. I would do this earlier if he starts to show signs of Lyme disease. These signs would be limping, not eating, just basically not himself. Thank you for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a small dog about 8 pounds. She had a tick almost a month ago. There is still a bump on her belly where the tick was located. The bump almost looks like a nipple. She has recently started pucking her food at night...do you think that the two a
Poor girl. Certainly tick borne disease can cause vomiting a couple weeks after exposure, but a month seems to be a bit prolonged. Also you would typically see other symptoms too such as limping, low grade fever and a decreased appetite. Other potential causes of vomiting are: stomach upset due to a change in diet, eating something she shouldn’t have, acid reflux disease, or even inflammatory bowel disease just to name a few. if he vomiting continues for more than a day or two, or if she has any more symptoms that you didn’t mention here, then this best to take her in for a complete examination to ensure she is ok. I hope that your fur baby gets well soon! Best wishes and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 4 yr old Pomeranian vomited his food up twice and then vomited up what looks like red possibly blood twice. I gave him cooked egg whites for the 1st time. Also he has tested positive for Lyme in the past but never had symptoms and took the antibi
Poor guy. Sometimes the vomiting alone can cause a bit of blood in the following vomit due to irritation in the stomach or esophagus. The vomiting wouldn't be related to the lyme disease, and the egg whites are unlikely to be related either (although possible if Nugget has a very weak stomach - dogs generally don't do great with any food changes). I would be concerned about something stuck in his intestines, intestinal parasites, eating other things he shouldn't have, or even metabolic/organ issues. Often with temporary vomiting, we don't find out an underlying cause, but still need to look for problems that could be serious before starting treatment. I would make sure Nugget has access to lot of water tonight and monitor for continued vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and decreased appetite. If he's not back to his normal self tomorrow, he should visit a vet clinic for a check up. They may want to take abdominal x-rays and run some blood work. If he's vomiting non-stop tonight to seems
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I noticed a small tick on my dog 2 days ago and my dad removed it. He just started throwing up foamy white bile. What should indo? Is it related?
Typically there is a local skin reaction "bulls-eye" reddened area that forms at the site of the bite and this can lead to overall illness, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea. Investigate the site where the tick bit and then I would recommend taking him to your local veterinarian for a full physical examination and proper medication to help stop the allergic reaction he may be having to the tick bite itself. I would also recommend placing a Seresto collar, Adaptil collar, or giving Nexgard tablets (flea and tick preventative) to prevent future tick bites.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
6 month old yorkie is vomiting clear liquid he is lethargic and not eating or drinking a lot of water
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Charlie! Causes of vomiting are: intestinal parasites, viral infections (like parvo), foreign body ingestion (something is stuck and requires surgery to remove), pancreatitis, toxin ingestion, ingested something that is upsetting her stomach, food allergies or intolerance. If Charlie is vomiting while being fasted he should be seen today on Emergency. You can with hold water for 4-6 hours and food until monday am. Offer water after 4-6 hours as ice chips and as small amounts. If there is no further vomiting by the morning then offer a bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. Feed 1 cup per 20 lbs per day. Feed as small frequent meals. If Charlie continues to vomit while fasted, after water or food is reintroduced or will not eat he needs to see a Vet. I hope this helps and I wish Charlie a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy received the Lyme disease vaccine this morning and he is not using the bathroom or eating, what can I do?
It's very common for puppies to be a bit sore and lethargic for 24-48 hours after getting a vaccination, just like human kids. Many times, they may not want to eat much or go outside if they are sore. As long as he is alert and responsive, and not having any other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, facial swelling, etc. it should be okay to give him some time and see how he's feeling tomorrow. If you're concerned, you can call your veterinarian at that point or take him in for a recheck exam to make sure that everything is okay.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My shepard, heeler/husky mix is 2.5 years old and I adopted her 15 days ago. She finished a month long round of antibiotics to treat 2 tickborn diseases 8 days ago (Ehrlichia and Lyme.) The past 2 days she has had diarrhea and is needing to go out e
Hi there, thanks for using Boop by Petco. Diarrhea is not typically a symptom of tickborne disease so this is probably unrelated. Sometimes diarrhea can be a result of antibiotics, but usually it starts earlier in the course of treatment, so the timing doesn't seem related to that either. More likely she got into something that upset her tummy. As long as she's feeling fine, probiotics are a great idea, and you can feed a bland diet of boiled chicken with white rice for a few days. Once her stools improve, mix the rice/chicken mixture with her kibble to gradually switch her back. If the diarrhea doesn't improve over the next few days, and certainly if she starts acting sick (decreased appetite, vomiting, lethargy, etc), then a vet visit is in order. Hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How can i help my dog eating? She was diagnosed with Erlichia yesterday. This morning she woke up vomiting all of her food plus bloody stools (tar stools). I took her to a veterinary who said that this was normal because of the Doxycycline, but duri
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Luna. I'm sorry she has Erlichia! The doxycycline can cause stomach upset, and to help with that, try giving her the medication with food. Give it with some boiled white meat chicken (no bones or skin) and white rice. You can mix in some low sodium chicken broth as well to keep her hydrated. It is very concerning she can't keep down water, and keep a close eye on her. Take her back into the vet first thing in the morning if she is still like this. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog more than week ago had a thick. We was in vet. Then take out. From yesterday he's doesn't eat and drink. Walking very slowly and he's look very sad. He's doesn't answer for calling. He's doesn't like to play and the water from his mouth looks
Rocky is very handsome! It is possible he contracted a tick-borne disease when the tick was attached. I recommend taking him back to the vet to run some blood work and find out why he isn't feeling well. If they find the cause, they can start medications to help him feel better. Remind them about the tick when you see the vet. Good luck and kisses to Rocky!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Food Dog Health & Wellness Prescription Flea & Tick Medicine for Dogs Electrolytes for Dogs Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Flea & Tick Solutions for Dogs Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Flea & Tick Pills & Chews Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care Dog Vitamins & Supplements Doxycycline Dog Medicine and Prescriptions VetIQ Dog Flea & Tick Pills & Chews Lactated Ringers Electrolytes for Dogs Vetality Dog Flea & Tick Pills & Chews Tylan Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Entyce Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Tomlyn Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief PetAlive Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Elanco Dog Flea & Tick Pills & Chews Zymox Dog Pain Medicine & Relief
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored