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Lyme Disease (Bacterial Infection with Borrelia Species) in Dogs

Occurrence: common
Location of illness: General/Whole body

Author: Dr. med. vet. Gisa Löwe | Last modified: 06.11.2025

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infectiousInfectious describes the ability of a pathogen to be transmitted from one individual to another and trigger an infection. It also refers to diseases caused by such pathogens. disease caused by bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. of the genus Borrelia, which is mainly transmitted to dogs through tick bites.

The most important facts at a glance

Lyme disease in dogs is caused by bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. of the genus Borrelia, mainly Borrelia burgdorferi. These bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. are transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, especially the Ixodes species. Ticks live in forests, grasslands, and gardens and go through developmental stages, requiring blood meals. InfectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. can occur if ticks attach for more than 24 to 48 hours. Symptoms include fever, lameness, joint inflammation, and loss of appetite. DiagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. is made through clinical symptoms and blood tests that detect antibodies. A positive test indicates contact with the bacterium, but not necessarily an active infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease.. PCR tests can detect Borrelia DNADNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the development, function, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses. It is located in the cells of an organism and contains the information for heredity.. Treatment involves antibiotics such as doxycycline and may include anti-inflammatory drugsAnti-inflammatory drugs are medications that reduce inflammation. They can be divided into nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids and are used in dogs and cats to reduce Inflammatory conditions and Pain.. The prognosisThe prognosis is the prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease based on the general state of health, the nature of the disease, and the response to treatment. It can provide information on how a disease is expected to develop. is good if treated early, but severe cases can be more complex. PreventionPrevention includes measures taken to prevent diseases or injuries. In veterinary medicine, this includes vaccinations, parasite control, and health monitoring. includes tick repellents, regular checks, and vaccinations in high-risk areas. Research is improving diagnostic methods and vaccines, examining the impact of climate change on the spread, and developing personalized preventionPrevention includes measures taken to prevent diseases or injuries. In veterinary medicine, this includes vaccinations, parasite control, and health monitoring. strategies. New treatments are also being tested to increase effectiveness and avoid resistanceResistance refers to the ability of microorganisms to withstand the effects of antibiotics, antifungals, or other antimicrobial drugs. Resistance can also refer to the body's ability to be insensitive to diseases or toxins..

Causes

Lyme disease is caused by bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. of the genus Borrelia, with Borrelia burgdorferi being the most common species found in North America and Europe. These bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. are mainly transmitted to dogs through the bite of infected ticks of the Ixodes species, also known as deer ticks or sheep ticks.

Ticks are small, blood-sucking parasites found in forests, grasslands, and gardens. They go through several stages of development—larvae, nymphs, and adults—and require a blood meal at each stage to develop further. They can transmit bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. while attaching to the host and sucking blood.

The likelihood of infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. depends on the amount of time the tick spends on the dog. It is believed that transmission of Borrelia does not occur until 24 to 48 hours of attachment. Therefore, early removal of the tick is crucial to reduce the risk of infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease..

Symptoms

Very common symptoms:

Common symptoms:

Rare symptoms:

The symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs can be variable and often depend on the severity of the infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. and the individual animal’s response. Many dogs show no or only mild symptoms, while others can become seriously ill.

The most common symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes. Some dogs also develop lameness, which often shifts and is known as “shifting leg lameness”, as it can move from one leg to another.

In more severe cases, Lyme disease can also cause kidney problems, which manifest as increased thirst, increased urine production, vomiting, and weight loss. This form of the disease can be serious and potentially life-threatening.

Diagnosis

The diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. of Lyme disease in dogs is based on a combination of clinical symptoms, medical history, and diagnostic tests. Since many of the symptoms are non-specific and can also occur with other diseases, an accurate diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. is necessary.

A blood testA blood test is a laboratory procedure in which blood is drawn and analyzed to obtain information about the body's health. It can include various parameters such as blood sugar, blood count, liver and kidney values. can help detect antibodies against Borrelia bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease.. A positive result indicates that the dog has come into contact with the bacterium at some point, but it does not necessarily mean that it is currently infected or showing symptoms.

In some cases, the veterinarian may also perform other tests such as PCR tests (polymerase chain reaction) to detect the presence of Borrelia DNA in a blood sample. These tests can help confirm an active infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease..

Therapy

Treatment of Lyme disease in dogs is usually done with antibiotics, with doxycycline being the most commonly used drug. Treatment usually lasts several weeks to ensure that the bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. are completely eliminated from the dog’s body.

In addition to antibiotics, the veterinarian may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugsAnti-inflammatory drugs are medications that reduce inflammation. They can be divided into nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids and are used in dogs and cats to reduce Inflammatory conditions and Pain. to relieve symptoms such as pain and inflammation. In severe cases, especially if kidney problems occur, more intensive treatment may be required, including fluid therapyTherapy refers to the treatment of diseases or disorders with the aim of alleviating symptoms, promoting healing, or improving quality of life. Therapies can be medicinal, surgical, or through other medical interventions. and supportiveSupportive refers to supportive treatments that aim to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life without directly treating the underlying cause of the disease. care.

Prognosis and follow-up care

The prognosis for dogs with Lyme disease depends on the severity of the infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. and how quickly treatment is given. Dogs that are diagnosed and treated quickly usually have a good prognosisThe prognosis is the prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease based on the general state of health, the nature of the disease, and the response to treatment. It can provide information on how a disease is expected to develop. and recover completely.

However, it can be more complicated in dogs that develop severe symptoms, especially kidney problems. These animals may require more intensive and long-term care. In rare cases, the disease can become chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. and cause recurring symptoms.

Prevention

The preventionPrevention includes measures taken to prevent diseases or injuries. In veterinary medicine, this includes vaccinations, parasite control, and health monitoring. of Lyme disease in dogs focuses primarily on avoiding tick bites. This can be achieved through regular use of tick repellents, which are available in the form of collars, spot-on preparations, or oralOral means "through the mouth" and refers to the intake of food, medication, or other substances through the mouth. In veterinary medicine, many treatments are administered orally. medications.

In addition, dogs should be regularly checked for ticks after walks in tick-infested areas. Ticks should be removed immediately and carefully to reduce the risk of transmission of Borrelia bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease..

There are also vaccines against Lyme disease for dogs that can be considered in high-risk regions. These vaccines should be integrated into the dog’s vaccinationVaccination is the process of administering a vaccine to develop immunity against a specific infectious disease. It is one of the most effective methods of prevention of infectious diseases. schedule in consultation with a veterinarian.

For more information on Lyme disease in dogs, see this article on Lyme disease in dogs from VCA Hospitals.

Outlook on current research

Research on Lyme disease in dogs focuses heavily on improving diagnostic methods to enable earlier and more accurate detection of the disease. Scientists are working to identify specific biomarkers that indicate infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. with Borrelia species. These biomarkers could serve as the basis for new blood tests or other diagnostic procedures in the future that are faster and less invasiveInvasive describes medical procedures or pathogens that enter the body or penetrate tissue. In medicine, invasive procedures can range from minimally invasive techniques to open surgery. than current methods.

Another important area of research is vaccineA vaccine is a substance that stimulates the immune system to develop immunity against specific pathogens without causing the disease itself. Vaccines may contain weakened or inactivated pathogens, toxoids, or recombinant antigens. development. While there are already some vaccines against Lyme disease for dogs, these are not always 100% effective and may not cover all Borrelia strains. Researchers are therefore exploring new ways to improve vaccines, such as by incorporating additional proteins from the bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. or by combining them with other protective measures.

The effects of climate change on the spread of Lyme disease in dogs are also being intensively studied. As ticks, which transmit the disease, gain a foothold in new geographic areas, studies are underway to understand how these changes affect the risk of infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. for dogs worldwide. The research aims to develop preventive measures that are based on regional conditions.

In addition, there are research projects that deal with the genetic susceptibility of dogs to Lyme disease. Certain breeds or genetic lines may appear to be more susceptible to infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. than others. Understanding these genetic factors could lead to personalized preventionPrevention includes measures taken to prevent diseases or injuries. In veterinary medicine, this includes vaccinations, parasite control, and health monitoring. strategies that are specifically tailored to the needs of individual dogs.

Finally, the treatment of dogs with Lyme disease is also being intensively researched. New antibiotics and combination therapies are being tested to increase the effectiveness of the treatment and avoid resistanceResistance refers to the ability of microorganisms to withstand the effects of antibiotics, antifungals, or other antimicrobial drugs. Resistance can also refer to the body's ability to be insensitive to diseases or toxins.. This research could lead to new standards in veterinary practice and significantly improve the quality of life of dogs with Lyme disease.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is Lyme disease in dogs? Lyme disease, also called Lyme borreliosis, is a bacterial infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease. caused by Borrelia bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease. and can be transmitted to dogs through tick bites. It can cause various symptoms, including fever, lameness, and joint pain.
How is Lyme disease diagnosed in dogs? DiagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. is usually made through a combination of clinical symptoms, the presence of ticks or tick bites, and specific blood tests that test for antibodies against Borrelia bacteria. However, an accurate diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. can be difficult because the symptoms are non-specific.
Can all dogs get Lyme disease? Theoretically, all dogs can get Lyme disease, but the risk is higher in dogs that live in areas with a high tick density or spend a lot of time outdoors. Some breeds may be genetically more susceptible.
What symptoms do dogs with Lyme disease show? The most common symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, joint pain, lameness, and swollen lymph nodes. In severe cases, heart, kidney, and neurological problems can also occur.
How is Lyme disease treated in dogs? Treatment is usually done with antibiotics, which are administered over several weeks. In some cases, additional medications are needed to relieve pain and inflammation.
Can Lyme disease be cured in dogs? Yes, most dogs respond well to antibiotic treatment and can recover completely. However, it may take some time for all symptoms to disappear, and in rare cases, long-term health problems may persist.
How can I protect my pet from Lyme disease? Regular tick checks and the use of tick preventionPrevention includes measures taken to prevent diseases or injuries. In veterinary medicine, this includes vaccinations, parasite control, and health monitoring. products are crucial. There are also vaccines that can protect against Lyme disease, but they do not replace the need to avoid ticks.
Can people get Lyme disease from dogs? People cannot get Lyme disease directly from dogs. The disease is transmitted by ticks. However, it is important to remove ticks from pets to minimize the risk to humans and animals.
Are there long-term consequences for dogs with Lyme disease? In some cases, dogs that have Lyme disease may develop long-term health problems such as chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. joint inflammation or kidney disease. Early diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. and treatment are crucial to avoid such complications.
Is Lyme disease common in dogs in all regions? Lyme disease occurs mainly in areas where ticks are common, especially in forests and grasslands. However, the prevalence can vary depending on the geographic area, and climate change can affect the spread.