2006: ACVIM small animal consensus statement on Lyme disease in dogs

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1: J Vet Intern Med. 2006 Mar-Apr;20(2):422-34. Related Articles, Links

ACVIM small animal consensus statement on Lyme disease in dogs:
diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Littman MP, Goldstein RE, Labato MA, Lappin MR, Moore GE.

Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine, 19104-6010, USA. merylitt@vet.upenn.edu

The purpose of this report is to offer a consensus opinion of ACVIM
diplomates on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Borrelia
burgdorferi infections in dogs (canine Lyme disease). Clinical
syndromes known to commonly be associated with canine Lyme disease
include polyarthritis and glomerulopathy. Serological test results can
be used to document exposure to B. burgdorferi but not prove illness.
Although serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay/indirect fluorescent
antibody assay titers can stay positive for months to years after
treatment, quantitative C6 peptide antibody paired tests need more
study. Serological screening of healthy dogs is controversial because
it can lead to overdiagnosis or overtreatment of normal dogs, most of
which never develop Lyme disease. However, serological screening can
provide seroprevalence and sentinel data and stimulate owner education
about tick infections and control. Although it is unknown whether
treatment of seropositive healthy dogs is beneficial, the consensus is
that seropositive dogs should be evaluated for proteinuria and other
coinfections and tick control prescribed. Tick control can include a
product that repels or protects against tick attachment, thereby
helping to prevent transmission of coinfections as well as Borrelia
spp. Seropositive dogs with clinical abnormalities thought to arise
from Lyme disease generally are treated with doxycycline (10 mg/kg q24h
for 1 month). Proteinuric dogs might need longer treatment as well as
medications and diets for protein-losing nephropathy. The ACVIM
diplomates believe the use of Lyme vaccines still is controversial and
most do not administer them. It is the consensus opinion that
additional research is needed to study predictors of illness, "Lyme
nephropathy," and coinfections in Lyme endemic areas.

PMID: 16594606 [PubMed - in process]

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