Lyme disease (dogs)

Recent studies show that up to 30% of castor ticks (Ixodes ricinus) in Germany test positive for Borrelia. Animals that live in tick-infested areas, in particular, can become infected multiple times each year. In its early stages, Lyme disease is difficult to detect; in many cases, a possible Borrelia infection is not even considered. Possible symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, bouts of fever, and joint inflammation can indicate many different conditions. Severe cases of Lyme disease can lead to organ damage, particularly to the kidneys; in rare cases, movement disorders have also been observed.

The causative agents of Lyme disease are spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. In Europe, they are transmitted by the common wood tick (Ixodes ricinus); the bacteria are transferred to the host during the tick’s feeding period, which can last from several hours to several days. Upon the bite, the spirochetes spread through the tissues and can reach various organ systems.

In dogs, the majority of infections are subclinical. If clinical disease occurs, the primary symptoms include lameness due to polyarthritis, painful and swollen joints, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes. Lyme nephropathy, characterized by proteinuria and progressive kidney damage, has been described as a rare but serious form of the disease. Since other Ixodes-transmitted pathogens, such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, can cause a similar clinical picture and co-infections may occur, these pathogens must be considered in the differential diagnosis.

The clinical signs are nonspecific, and there is no pathognomonic feature. The detection of specific antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato therefore serves to supplement the clinical diagnosis: In endemic areas, a significant proportion of dogs are exposed and seropositive without developing clinical disease; therefore, a positive antibody result must always be evaluated in a clinical context and with consideration of other causes.

The Fassisi® LymeBo detects antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi in serum, plasma, or whole blood. Antibodies against Borrelia are also detected in the CanVecto 3 combination test alongside antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia canis, which facilitates the simultaneous screening for relevant co-infections from a single sample in cases of tick-borne diseases.

References are listed on the References page.