Lyme disease (Borreliosis) in a Saint Bernard dog: First clinical case in Turkey

Abstract

Lyme disease is a zoonotic infection caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes species. This is the first clinical case report of Lyme disease in Turkey. The subject was a 2-year-old male Saint Bernard with recurrent shifting leg lameness that began at about 6 months of age. In sera samples, B. burgdorferi IgM, IgG, and Western Blot were found to be positive. Chronic borreliosis was diagnosed and a long-term arnoxicillin treatment was recommended. One year after the initial presentation, the dog was asymptomatic according to the owner. A clinical examination performed 2 years after the diagnosis failed to find any evidence of clinical Lyme disease.