Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease

Species: Dog

Breeds Affected: All Breeds (dogs in tick-infested regions)

Lyme disease (canine borreliosis) is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through the bite of infected ticks (primarily deer ticks). Dogs (and humans) can become infected after a tick has been attached for ~24–48 hours. Only 5–10% of exposed dogs develop illness, but those that do can experience widespread symptoms weeks to months after infection.

• Many infected dogs show no signs. When illness occurs (often 2-5 months post-infection)
• classic symptoms are recurrent lameness that shifts between legs due to joint inflammation
• fever
• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• and swollen lymph nodes. Joints may be painful and swollen. In rare cases
• Lyme disease leads to Lyme nephritis – a serious kidney inflammation – causing vomiting
• diarrhea
• weight loss
• edema
• and can be fatal.

Treatment of Lyme disease involves a prolonged course of antibiotics. The standard therapy is about 4 weeks of doxycycline (the antibiotic of choice). Most dogs show improvement in lameness and symptoms within a few days of starting antibiotics. In addition, anti-inflammatory pain medications (NSAIDs) may be given to relieve joint pain. Dogs with Lyme-associated kidney disease require hospitalization and additional treatments (fluid therapy, etc.) to manage kidney failure.

Antibiotics are the primary treatment: doxycycline is most commonly used, due to its efficacy against Borrelia and good penetration into joints. Alternatives include amoxicillin or azithromycin if doxycycline is not tolerated. For pain and inflammation in the joints, NSAIDs (like carprofen) can be used adjunctively. In cases of Lyme nephritis, medications to support kidney function and manage protein loss (ACE inhibitors, etc.) are indicated. Preventive measures (tick control products and Lyme vaccination where appropriate) are important to avoid infection.