Lyme Nephritis/Kidney Failure Secondary to Lyme Disease in a Dog

Doc Pawsitive, Clair Thompson, "Leader of the Pack" at PAWS Veterinary Clinic discusses Lyme Nephritis in dogs. The majority of dogs infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative organism of Lyme Disease, develop the musculoskeletal form of Lyme Disease which affects the joints and can cause joint pain, swelling, lameness, fever, anorexia and lethargy. The musculoskeletal form of Lyme Disease is typically very treatable and dogs respond well to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. However, the Lyme organism occassionally infects the kidneys and can cause Lyme Nephritis, inflammation of kidney tissue. Dogs with Lyme Nephritis typically are quite ill, exhibiting increased thirst and urination, anorexia, lethargy or worse. Dogs with Lyme Nephritis are unlikely to respond to aggressive treatment and often succumb to kidney failure.

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