Although it is less common, Lyme disease may also present as neurologic or cardiac disorders. In these cases, the symptoms may range from coughing to facial paralysis or even seizures.

If you suspect that a livestock guard dog has Lyme disease, it should be taken to a veterinarian. Based on history and symptoms, the veterinarian may recommend a blood test. Most blood tests can only detect whether the dog has been exposed to Lyme disease. Your veterinarian will make a diagnosis on the clinical signs the animal is displaying and a positive test for exposure to Lyme disease. If your veterinarian diagnoses or suspects Lyme disease, the treatment includes antibiotics for several weeks. Although this may eliminate some or most of the symptoms, some dogs may have lifelong joint issues or damage to the kidneys that may not be reversible.

Lyme disease itself cannot be transmitted directly from animals to people; however, the ticks involved in Lyme disease transmission may bite both animals and people. The human health risk is that ticks that become infected may then bite other animals or humans. This means that if a guard dog becomes infected, even if it's not showing symptoms, ticks that bite the guard dog after it is infected may then transmit Lyme disease to the livestock or farmers.

Prevention is the best control of Lyme disease. First and most importantly, the best preventive measure you can take is protecting your guard dogs from ticks. Many products are effective flea and tick preventatives, including topical or oral products. Talk to your veterinarian as to which product they recommend for your guard dogs. A vaccine is available for dogs. The vaccine is generally not considered a “core vaccine,” which is a vaccine that every dog needs. The Lyme disease vaccine is generally given only to dogs that are at an increased risk for this disease. Talk to your veterinarian about the risk your guard dog may face and your veterinarian can advise you as to whether they will add it to the vaccine regimen for your livestock guard dogs.

A vaccine is available for dogs. The vaccine is generally not considered a “core vaccine,” which is a vaccine that every dog needs. The Lyme disease vaccine is generally given only to dogs that are at an increased risk for this disease. Talk to your veterinarian about the risk your guard dog may face and your veterinarian can advise you as to whether they will add it to the vaccine regimen for your livestock guard dogs.

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/ disorders-affecting-multiple-body-systems-of-dogs/ lyme-disease-lyme-borreliosis-in-dogs

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/lymedisease.aspx

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