Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine borreliosis: epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, and diagnostics
- Journal:
- Companion Animal
- Year:
- 2016
- Authors:
- Parry, Nicola
- Affiliation:
- Owner, Midwest Veterinary Pathology, LLC, Lafayette, Indiana, USA · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that is becoming more common in dogs, just like it is in people. It is caused by a type of bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is spread by certain ticks. To diagnose Lyme disease in dogs, veterinarians look at the dog's history of tick exposure, symptoms that match Lyme disease, blood tests, and how the dog responds to treatment with antibiotics. However, diagnosing this disease can be complicated and sometimes controversial among vets. This article discusses important information about how Lyme disease affects dogs, how it develops, and how it is diagnosed.
Abstract
Lyme disease is one of the most commonly diagnosed zoonotic tick-borne diseases worldwide, and is becoming an increasing problem in dogs as well as in humans. The disease is caused by infection with the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which is transmitted by Ixodes spp. ticks. A diagnosis of Lyme disease in dogs is based on a combination of a history of exposure to tick bites, clinical signs consistent with Lyme borreliosis, serological testing, elimination of differential diagnoses, and response to antimicrobial therapy. However, as is the case with Lyme disease in people, the clinical and diagnostic features of this disease in dogs have elicited significant controversy in clinical practice. This article will review some key aspects of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of Lyme disease in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2016.21.6.323