If your dog has tested positive for Lyme disease and is exhibiting symptoms of the disease--sore, painful joints, low-grade fever and lameness--of course, you're going to treat your pet. The question of treatment becomes more complicated if your pet tests positive for the tick-borne illness and has no symptoms. Only about 10 to 15 percent of dogs with Lyme disease exhibit symptoms, according to Vetcetera Pet Healthcare Centre. There are some general criteria to consider in regard to whether, when and how to treat a Lyme-positive dog that does not have symptoms of the disease.
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Disagreement
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The only definite about whether to treat a Lyme-positive dog without symptoms is that there is disagreement. In 2005 the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine published its position on treating dogs that are positive for Lyme disease but who show no symptoms, according to 2ndchance.info. The position basically stated that if kidney tests, physical examination and blood work are normal, it is not clear whether the dog should be treated for Lyme disease. Many veterinarians advised and continue to advise, clients not to treat Lyme-positive dogs because early research indicated most of these dogs would never develop symptoms. Current research is calling that into question and more veterinarians are treating any dog with a positive test.
Age
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Symptoms of Lyme disease seem to be more likely to develop in dogs that are infected with Lyme at a young age. If your dog is 4 years of age or younger, treatment should always be considered. Treatment is generally a course of antibiotics, penicillin, tetracycline or doxycycline. The goal of treatment is not to "cure" the disease but to reduce levels of the bacteria to the point that they cannot cause an active infection.
Chronic
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There is another reason to consider treating your dog as soon as there is a positive test for Lyme disease. If Lyme disease remains in the dog's body for extended periods without treatment, the organism that causes the disease is not as easily defeated by the antibiotics as it is in its early stages. Because the antibiotics used to treat Lyme disease are relatively inexpensive and considered safe, most veterinarians and pet guardians choose to treat a pet upon a positive test, regardless of whether the dog is showing symptoms.
Kidneys
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If your dog tests positive for Lyme disease, he will most likely be a carrier of the disease for the remainder of his life. Many veterinarians will recommend--even with treatment--that you do periodic blood and urine testing to ensure the disease isn't affecting your dog's kidneys. These tests will also determine if any more serious forms of Lyme disease are developing.
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