Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Long-term health of Bernese Mountain dogs with Lyme disease antibodies
By Gerber, Bernhard et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2009·Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Follow-up of Bernese Mountain dogs and other dogs with serologically diagnosed Borrelia burgdorferi infection: what happens to seropositive animals?
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Bernese Mountain dogs with a history of Lyme disease (caused by Borrelia burgdorferi) were monitored for signs of lameness or kidney issues over a period of about 2.5 to 3 years. Despite some dogs showing antibodies for the infection, there was no significant increase in lameness or kidney problems like azotemia (elevated waste products in the blood) during the follow-up. The study found that while some dogs had fluctuating antibody levels, their overall health remained stable. This suggests that having antibodies for Lyme disease may not lead to worsening symptoms in these dogs.
People also search for: Bernese Mountain dog Lyme disease symptoms · dog kidney problems azotemia · Lyme disease treatment in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Data on the long-term outcome of B. burgdorferi infections in adult dogs are sparse. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Bernese Mountain dogs with serological evidence of natural B. burgdorferi infection more often develop signs such as lameness, azotemia or proteinuria during a follow-up period of 2.5 to 3.0 years. Seropositive Bernese Mountain dogs were compared to seronegative Bernese Mountain dogs and to seropositive and seronegative control dogs of other breeds. Dogs included in a previous study on the prevalence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi in Bernese Mountain dogs were re-evaluated. Antibodies against B. burgdorferi were determined using an ELISA with a whole-cell sonicate as antigen and results were confirmed using a Western blot assay. RESULTS: Fifty-three Bernese Mountain dogs and 30 control dogs were re-evaluated. Re-evaluation was performed between 2.5 and 3.0 years (median 2.7 years) after the first assessment.The age of the dogs at the second evaluation ranged from 3 to 11 years (median 6 years). There were no significant differences with regard to poor general condition or lameness between the first and the second evaluation. At the first evaluation 22 (42%) of the Bernese Mountain dogs and 11 (37%) of the control dogs were considered positive for antibodies against B. burgdorferi. At the second evaluation 25 (47%) of the Bernese Mountain dogs and 12 (40%) of the control dogs were considered positive; 69% of the dogs showed the same serological result at both examinations and 31% were seroconverted or seroreverted. During the first examination, azotemia was diagnosed in 6 Bernese Mountain dogs and during the second examination in 11 Bernese Mountain dogs. No control dogs had azotemia in this study. In seropositive dogs there was no increase in lameness or signs of renal disease over time. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that antibodies against B. burgdorferi determined by whole cell ELISA and confirmed by Western blot were neither associated with the development of lameness nor with signs of renal disease like azotemia or proteinuria in dogs observed over a period of 2.5 to 3.0 years.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19426490/