The ACVIM recently published its consensus statement on Lyme disease. Although the goal of a consensus statement is to develop evidence-based consensus recommendations, this is challenging to do with Lyme disease, as data are often lacking, incomplete, or conflicting. As a result, this consensus statement has many unresolved issues, although there was agreement on some important areas relevant to practice in Lyme-endemic regions.
It was agreed that screening is indicated for all dogs in areas where Lyme disease is present. However, the presence of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi is indicative of exposure to the bacterium and not necessarily that it causes—or will ever cause—disease. Treatment (ie, doxycycline [10 mg/kg PO q24h for 4 weeks]) is indicated in seropositive dogs with arthritis not attributable to another cause. Similarly, seropositive dogs with protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) should also be treated.