05/15/2026
Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bacterium 'Borrelia burgdorferi', which is transmitted through tick bites. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can affect both humans and animals, and it is one of the most common tick-borne diseases worldwide.
Once considered primarily a northeastern disease, Lyme disease is now found across the country due to increased travel and mobility of both people and pets. In some cases, ticks may persist in the home or yard, requiring specialized tick treatments since ticks are arachnids and are not always eliminated by standard pest control products
In dogs, symptoms may take 2–5 months to appear. Arthritis and lameness are the most common signs, but the disease can also affect the kidneys, heart, muscles, skin, and nervous system. Other symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, increased thirst or urination, weight loss, diarrhea, and fluid retention.
We routinely screen for Lyme disease as part of our “blood parasite test,” which also checks for Heartworms, Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis. The last three are all tick transmitted. This test detects antibodies, meaning a positive result indicates exposure to an infected tick, not necessarily active disease. Because exposure timing is unknown, we often recommend basic bloodwork to look for signs of active infection and establish a baseline for future monitoring.
Lyme disease is treatable with antibiotics, though treatment may last four weeks or longer, and reinfection is possible. The best prevention is consistent tick control and using effective preventatives.
