Never hike without some sort of tick repellent on your dog...ever.
The first time i ever brought my dog to the trails, (bear mountain, ny) was the only time i brought him without frontline plus...and was the only time i picked 3 ticks off him the next day. A year later, and he tested positive for lyme.
The danger is very real, and 1 mistake could mean the realest consequences. Lucky for myself and my dog, lyme in dogs is unlike humans with symptoms and very treatable.
He always ate grain free holistic diet, but since his lyme diagnosis, i switched him to EVO salmon and herring....the only food i found with chondroiton and glucosamine....which being that my dog is a big dog as it is and now has lyme, the added supplements is shown to really aid in preventing and treating arthritis which can be a side effect of lyme if not kept on top of.
anyways, the point of this is according to my vet, a lot of people have aging dogs that have joint problems and are commonly misdiagnosed for arthritis. if your dog is a hiking dog like mine, you may assume he could be just wearing down with age and not even suspect lyme.
I never suspected it, as he never showed symptoms and was even diagnosed as "asymptomatic"...though, he still recieved treatment for his antibody levels. treatment is nothing more than anti-biotics, as long as the kidneys test fine. after your treatment, you test again and if the levels are down....wait 6 months and test again (unless he shows symptoms)
preventatives:
Frontline Plus- i choose this one because of several bad side effects more common than i'd like to with k9 advantix II.
K9 advantix II- I've read great and horrible things about it...though it is still VERY effective against ticks.
Preventiq Collar- Another one i've read mixed reviews about, but much more good than bad.
Lyme Disease vaccine- you think its unnecessary? nope. wish i had known when i first got his shots we would be hiking...i probably wouldn't be typing this thread right now.
I hope this helps someone prevent what i unfortunately am going thru with my dog. Though he's not showing any signs of anything, still knowing he is positive is enough to make you worry...especially if you love your dog like me :(