Lyme disease in dogs causes systemic illness with potential for severe welfare-compromising complications including nephropathy in susceptible breeds.
Dogs with clinical Lyme disease experience shifting joint pain, fever, and systemic illness that significantly reduces activity and quality of life. The severe end of the clinical spectrum - Lyme nephritis - causes rapidly fatal kidney failure with minimal warning in predisposed breeds. The welfare stakes of Lyme nephritis are particularly high because it is largely preventable through vaccination and tick control, making each case a preventable welfare failure. Tick control in endemic regions and annual Lyme vaccination for dogs with tick exposure are the most impactful welfare interventions. Antibiotic treatment of clinical Lyme disease resolves most cases effectively when initiated promptly.