Diagnostic Testing for Canine Lyme Disease: A New Two-Tiered Approach for Effective Management

Limits of the Traditional Approach The traditional approach is limited because these tests measure antibodies to the whole Borrelia burgdorferi organism (called wholecell antibodies). Whole-cell antibodies elevate after exposure or vaccination, and often remain elevated after successful treatment. Traditionally, dogs are only tested after clinical signs are evident. The lack of early clinical signs, such as erythema migrans, in infected dogs places greater importance on the laboratory method used when diagnosing canine Lyme disease. With recent research showing that subclinical infections of canine Lyme disease are more prevalent than once thought, the diagnostic approach to these cases should be reexamined.