Why your dog needs a Lyme test

Lyme disease testing is performed to diagnose Lyme Disease.  Lyme disease is caused by transmission of bacteria called Borrelia through the bite of an infected tick. To understand the testing, it is important to have an understanding of the disease.

Deer ticks of the Ixodes species can transmit Borrelia.  When the infected tick attaches itself to a dog and begins to feed, the Borrelia bacteria travel from the tick's salivary glands and are then injected into the dog throug the blood feeding.  In the dog they travel through tissues and then into the blood stream and then cause infection.

In dogs, a Borrelia infection can result in arthritis, lethargy, fever, painful joints, and loss of appetite.  Sometimes the signs resolve and then reoccur.  In rare cases, kidney, heart, and neurological disease can occur. 

Lyme disease is prevalent in certain areas of the US including the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and the upper Midwest. 

How It Works

Lyme disease is usually diagnosed based on a positive antibody test and symptoms of disease.

Dogs infected with Borrellia will develop antibodies from an immune response.   The test checks the dog's blood for Borrellia antibodies.  However, dogs that have been exposed to Borrellia will develop antibodies and may not become ill.  In those cases, there is a special test called a C6 test that will help determine whether the dog has simply been exposed or has an active infection. 

Benefits of  Lyme Disease Tests

An early diagnosis of Lyme Disease can be beneficial in determining treatment.  Early detection and treatment of the disease may decrease the chance of severity of damage to the joint and also the potential of developing rare but potential damage to the kidneys, heart, and neurological system.