Lyme-associated glomerulonephritis, presumptive Lyme nephritis in Dogs

Category: Urinary & Reproductive
Breeds documented: 2
Published sources: 3

Overview

Occasionally, dogs exposed to Lyme bacteria develop a serious kidney disorder called presumptive Lyme nephritis. Inflammation affects the kidneys' tiny filters, allowing protein to escape into urine. Kidney function can worsen rapidly. The link with Lyme infection is suspected rather than proven in every case, so a positive Lyme test alone cannot establish the cause. Most dogs that test positive for Lyme exposure never develop this complication.

Signs to watch for

Vomiting
Eating less or refusing food
Drinking and urinating more than usual
Losing weight
Very low energy

Reported particularly in young to middle-aged retrievers.

When to get help Contact a vet promptly for vomiting, poor appetite or marked tiredness, especially after Lyme exposure.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets look for kidney damage and protein loss in urine alongside evidence of Lyme exposure. Blood tests assess kidney function and look for antibodies to Lyme bacteria. Other causes of protein-losing kidney disease must be investigated. A kidney biopsy can characterize the inflammation, but it cannot reliably prove that Lyme bacteria caused it.

Breeds with documented risk

2 breeds

By breed size

2 Large

Labrador RetrieverLarge · Sporting Group
Golden RetrieverLarge · Sporting Group

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.