Lyme Disease Transmitting To Offspring

by John
(Orlando, FL)

Reader Question: What Are The Chances Of Lyme Disease Spreading To Future Offspring?

Years ago I picked off a deer tick from beneath my dog's eye. A week or so later he exhibited a few of the Lyme disease symptoms, stiffness getting up, lowered appetite, a slight fever. Our vet did a snap blood test for 9 different types of tick borne diseases present in our state, all came back negative.

He was put on doxycycline for 10 days and in just a few days was almost back to normal. 2 1/2 years later, no reoccurring signs. The internist we saw said she did not think he had viral meningitis due to the symptoms he presented with and his quick recovery.

I am interested in allowing our boy to stand as a stud; he has all health certificates completed for his breed and then some, reached his AKC Championship.

My question is can Lyme disease be passes on to future offspring?

Veterinarian Answers Reader's Inquiry Regarding Lyme Disease Transmitting To Offspring

Hi,

I’ve never seen any reference to Lyme disease being transmitted via mating from an infected stud to either the female or the offspring. The only relevant study I’m aware of demonstrated that females and puppies could contract Lyme disease when they were injected with Borrelia bacteria that were collected from the semen of an infected dog – hardly a natural situation.

Regards,

Jennifer Coates, DVM