Spirochaete bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. Long and slender organism that is helical coiled (0.2-0.5 µm x 8-30 µm)

In Europe three species, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii.

Ixodes ricinus is the vector involved in transmitting Borrelia. Larvae, nymphs and adults can transmit the bacteria.

Learn more about the vectors: Ticks

The infection can be found in humans, cattle, horses and dogs in most European countries. Around 15% of all ticks harbour Borrelia DNA (the percentage varies according to the region).

General signs: high temperature, asthenia, anorexia and sometimes vomiting and adenopathies.

Limp: Poly- or monoarthritis in the joints. This sign regresses on average four days before reappearing in another joint in 30 -50% of all cases. Chronic, subclinical periarthritis may develop after several recurrences.

Evidence of an exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi (tick bite, endemic/enzootic area)

Compatible clinical symptoms

Positive Indirect ImmonuFluorescence test confirmed by Western Blot

Elimination of other vector-borne infections

Response to treatment is the final confirmation of diagnosis.

Differential

Other vector-borne disease: canine ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis

Immunological, neoplastic or degenerative causes

The antibiotics most frequently used against canine borreliosis are:

- Tetracyclines: doxycycline (10 mg/kg per day)

- β-Lactamines: amoxicillin, penicillin.

Treatment is necessarily long: up to 30 days of medication to reach the Borrelia embedded deep in the fibrous tissues. There can be no certainty that the infection has been cured.

Medical: vaccines

Sanitary: limit the risk of transmission by vectors by using acaricides to eliminate infestation in dogs

Cats are not known to develop signs under normal conditions.