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Neurologic abnormalities in two dogs suspected Lyme disease
Y Azuma1, K Kawamura, H Isogai
1Monami Animal Clinic, Hokkaido, Japan.
Microbiology and Immunology
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Neurological signs in dogs, including convulsions and astasia, were linked to Borrelia burgdorferi infection after tick bites. Treatment with antibiotics effectively resolved these symptoms, indicating Lyme disease as a potential cause.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Tick-borne Illnesses
Background:
- Canine neurological disorders can arise from various causes, including infectious agents transmitted by arthropod vectors.
- Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, is known to affect multiple organ systems in dogs.
Observation:
- Two dogs presented with acute neurological signs such as astasia, tonic convulsions, and hyper-reflexia following tick exposure.
- Both dogs exhibited positive serum IgG and IgM antibody titers against Borrelia burgdorferi, confirmed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Findings:
- A spirochete strain, identified as Borrelia burgdorferi, was isolated from an Ixodes persulcatus tick that fed on one of the affected dogs.
- Antibiotic therapy, specifically high-dose penicillin and streptomycin, led to the resolution of neurological signs in both canine cases.
Implications:
- These cases suggest Borrelia burgdorferi infection is a significant cause of neurological dysfunction in dogs following tick bites.
- Early diagnosis and prompt antibiotic treatment are crucial for managing Borrelia-induced neurological disease in canines.