Lyme Disease in Dogs and Blood Tests

Lyme disease is transmitted to dogs and humans from tick bites. The tick could be infected with the bacteria known as Borrelia. Once bitten by the tick, the dog might experience symptoms as soon as 48 hours later. The diagnosis of Lyme disease in dogs is made by the risk of exposure to ticks (dogs that are outdoors are at an increased risk), and by performing certain blood tests.

  1. Identification

    • Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease that is caused by a spirochete (Borellia burgdorferi) that is transmitted by ticks. This disease can cause many adverse health affects and if left untreated can cause chronic arthritis, nerve dysfunction and heart problems in dogs as well as humans. About 10 percent of the dogs exposed to Lyme disease show symptoms, according to PetEducation.com.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms associated with Lyme disease in dogs include poor appetite, arthritis, high fever and swollen lymph nodes. This disease might also cause lameness in dogs, and is characterized by lameness that comes and goes over the course of a few weeks or months. It is important to note that dogs do not develop the typical "bulls-eye" rash often seen in humans who develop the disease. There have been reports of severe kidney disease in dogs with Lyme disease, although it is rare. Other problems associated with Lyme disease in dogs are nervous system disorders and heart problems.

    Standard Testing

    • There are blood tests to make the diagnosis of Lyme disease in dogs. There is a standard form of testing that measures the antibodies that are made by the dog's body, in response to the disease. Dogs that show positive results might not always be infected with the disease. This means that a dog with this type of test result has been exposed to Lyme disease, but was able to fight off the infection.

    C-6 Antibody Test

    • The C6 antibody test can distinguish between antibodies that were manufactured by the dog's body in response to the vaccination for Lyme disease and antibodies that were made as a result of exposure to Lyme disease. It cannot distinguish whether the dog is actually infected with the disease or merely exposed. The C6 antibody test is a simple blood test that may be performed in the veterinarian's office.

    Considerations

    • Veterinarians take into consideration several factors when diagnosing Lyme disease in dogs. These include the history of tick exposure, response to antibiotics and other symptoms that might indicate Lyme disease such as lameness. Dogs that do not have a rapid improvement (within 48 hours) after starting antibiotic therapy, should be re-evaluated to find other possible sources of infection.