Diagnosis of clinical Lyme borreliosis requires the combination of compatible clinical signs, tick exposure history, positive serology, and exclusion of other causes — no single test is sufficient. Journal of the…+1

Clinical signs that support the diagnosis include fever, shifting limb lameness, arthritis, arthralgia, anorexia, and lymphadenopathy. Journal of the…+1 Lyme nephritis, the most serious manifestation, presents with protein-losing nephropathy and carries a frequently fatal prognosis despite treatment. AAHA Clinical G…+1 In a seropositive dog with protein-losing nephropathy, features that add diagnostic weight to Lyme nephritis specifically include retriever or retriever-mix breed, azotemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutrophilia, and urinary findings of hematuria, glucosuria, and pyuria with a negative urine culture. Journal of Vete…

Serological testing centers on the C6 peptide antigen assay, which detects antibodies to the VlsE surface protein expressed only during active host infection. Journal of Vete…+1 The in-clinic qualitative C6 test is the standard first-line screen; a quantitative C6 ELISA can follow to establish a baseline titer. Journal of the… Quantitative titers have specific value in clinical disease because decreasing titers may signal response to antibiotic treatment. Journal of Vete… Antibodies can remain elevated for up to 17 months after infection, so a positive titer alone does not confirm active disease. Journal of the…

All seropositive dogs with clinical signs should have urinalysis performed as a minimum database to screen for proteinuria. Journal of Vete…+1 In dogs with proteinuria, urine protein:creatinine ratio, serum biochemistry panel, and complete blood count are indicated to characterize the severity of nephropathy and identify the clinicopathologic features of Lyme nephritis described above. Journal of Vete…

For dogs with Lyme arthritis, doxycycline is the standard antibiotic treatment. Journal of Vete… Signs of Lyme arthritis are transient or respond quickly to oral antibiotics. Journal of Vete… No antibiotic is formally approved for canine Lyme disease, and the optimal duration of treatment is not established in the veterinary literature. BMC Veterinary…

For dogs with Lyme nephritis, aggressive treatment combining doxycycline and immunosuppressive drug therapy is recommended. Journal of Vete… Management of Lyme nephritis follows empirical strategies aligned with IRIS Glomerular Disease Study Group guidelines. Journal of Vete… The prognosis for Lyme nephritis is poor; for the estimated 1–5% of infected dogs that develop this syndrome, the outcome is often fatal despite antimicrobial therapy. AAHA Clinical G…

Tick prevention is a required adjunct to any treatment plan, as ongoing tick exposure perpetuates infection risk. Journal of Vete…+1

Would you like guidance on specific doxycycline dosing protocols and duration of treatment for canine Lyme disease?