Many dogs become infected by the bacterial organism, but fortunately do not develop clinical signs. If they do, the most common clinical signs of infection are lameness and fever. Sometimes the lameness shifts from one leg to the other. 

If Lyme disease is suspected, a simple blood test can be performed to determine if the infection is present. Actually each year EMRVC performs a routine check for heart worm and tick infections, one being Lyme disease.

Lyme infection is commonly treated with the oral antibiotic Doxycycline. Prevention is easy. For that we recommend yearly vaccination, beginning the series as a puppy, and at 6 months of age using the FDA approved medication called Bravecto. Bravecto is just one pill that kills ticks (and fleas) for 12 weeks.