My five-year-old black Labrador, Blake, has recently been diagnosed with Lyme disease. We have started him on a three-week course of antibiotics, prescribed by our vet. But he has since been vomiting and is not himself. Can you suggest any natural options?
C.W., via email
Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is a bacterial infection that can affect dogs, horses, people and, on rare occasions, cats. It’s caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted by ticks—usually deer ticks, lone star ticks and western blacklegged ticks in the US and sheep ticks in the UK.
The Northeast, Midwest and Pacific regions of the US have a higher incidence of Lyme disease, while tick hotspots in the UK include the New Forest, Lake District and Scottish Highlands.
The ticks feed on birds or mammals that carry B. burgdorferi and can then pass the bacterium on when they bite your dog (or you). Ticks need to be attached to your dog for around 24 to 36 hours to transmit the Lyme disease-causing bacteria, so it is vital to always check your dog for ticks after walks and remove any ticks you spot as soon as possible. (See my article in the June 2021 issue for more on tick removal and prevention.)
The most common symptoms of Lyme disease are fever, lethargy, lameness, loss of appetite and swollen lymph nodes. Some dogs will be in pain and have an altered or stiff gait. The reason why Lyme disease is so feared is that it can cause kidney failure, neurological problems and heart abnormalities if left untreated.
In the US, most cases of Lyme disease are identified while performing routine annual blood tests. If you live in or often visit areas where ticks are common, it’s important to get your dog tested at least once a year.
One test for diagnosing Lyme is the rapid ELISA test. But your vet may also suggest the newer C6 test, which is specific for infection-induced antibodies. Some dogs that have had the Lyme disease vaccine may test positive on the rapid test, so the C6 test is more reliable.
The usual treatment for Lyme disease is antibiotics, but only dogs with high levels of antibodies or symptoms of Lyme need to be treated with them. According to a study by members of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, it’s common for dogs to be exposed to Lyme disease, as evidenced by antibodies in their blood, without ever presenting signs of the actual disease.1
As lead researcher Dr Meryl P. Littman explains, “95 percent of exposed dogs don’t get sick, but they become Lyme antibody-positive on tests, which may scare people into thinking they need to be treated.” She adds, “In some areas in New England, 70–90 percent of healthy dogs are Lyme-positive.”
Other researchers, like Dr Thomas Rau, believe that Lyme disease is more common when there are coinfections from other bacteria or fungi, and also when there are other underlying issues such as immune suppression, chronic inflammation or exposure to heavy metals and other toxic pollutants.
Holistic, integrative vets try to treat Lyme disease without resorting to antibiotics, especially if there are no obvious symptoms and testing shows that antibodies are low. The focus is on reducing inflammation (particularly in the joints), bolstering the immune system and addressing any neurological issues. Here are some useful alternative treatments, but, as Lyme disease can be life-threatening, it’s always best to consult with a holistic vet who can recommend an individual treatment for your dog.
The Chinese herb Bupleurum is well known for its potent immune-bolstering effects and is an excellent first choice for managing any latent Lyme disease. The Chinese herbal formula Harmonize the Qi from Kan Herb Company (also known as Minor Bupleurum combination or Xiao Chai Hu Tang) contains Bupleurum root along with other helpful herbs and can be used alone or alongside antibiotics.
Concentrated Lyme Formula by Dr Xie’s Jin Tang Herbal is another traditional Chinese formula that can be used for Lyme disease in dogs.
Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)
This is a popular herb for treating Lyme disease in humans, and it’s good for dogs, too. It’s been found to be effective against B. burgdorferi bacteria in the lab.2 Opt for the organic root powder and give it to your dog daily in his food.
Suggested dosage: 2 Tbsp twice daily for small dogs, 3 Tbsp twice daily for medium dogs and
4 Tbsp twice daily for large dogs
Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
A very safe herb that’s useful for Lyme disease; it’s known to stimulate the immune system. As with Japanese knotweed, choose the organic root powder and feed it to your dog in his food.
Suggested dosage: follow the same guidelines as for Japanese knotweed
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Another potent immune-enhancing herb. It’s a good option to help prevent Lyme disease after a tick bite in Lyme-prone areas. Again, the organic root powder is best.
Suggested dosage: follow the same guidelines as for Japanese knotweed
Colloidal silver
This natural antibiotic is safe for dogs and can be given in high doses. The dose depends on the strength of the product. A good option is 3 Sisters Silver Super Blend 20 ppm Colloidal Silver.
Suggested dosage: follow the label instructions
The following homeopathic remedies can be helpful for Lyme disease. Ideally, consult with a homeopathic vet first.
Ledum.
Also known as wild rosemary, Ledum benefits the muscles and connective tissue. It can be used after tick bites, too, as a Lyme preventative.
Suggested dosage: use a 1M potency three times daily for three days
Lyme Nosode 30C.
Also called Borrelia burgdorferi 30C, this can be used when there are clinical signs of Lyme disease or your dog has a positive test result.
Suggested dosage: give once a day for three days. If symptoms persist, repeat every two months.
Certain essential oils including garlic, oregano and cinnamon bark oils have shown effectiveness against B. burgdorferi bacteria.3
These oils are very potent, though, so it’s important to use them with caution and under the guidance of a trained aromatherapy practitioner.
One way to use the oils is to let your dog sniff a drop of the oils from a decent distance and self-select. You can learn more about self-medicating behavior in pets and how to offer essential oils to your dog at www.carolineingraham.com.
Garlic is a natural antibiotic that can be helpful for preventing and treating Lyme disease. Try this simple garlic dog biscuit recipe to get some garlic into your dog’s diet.
Ingredients
1¼ cup (115 g) oatmeal
¾ cup (100 g) self-rising flour
2 cloves garlic, ground to a paste
1 Tbsp honey
Directions
1) Preheat oven to 375°F/190°C. Grease an 8 × 11 inch (20 × 29 cm) baking sheet.
2) Mix together all the ingredients in a large bowl to form a soft dough. Spread mixture ½ inch (1 cm) deep on the baking tray. Bake for 25–30 minutes until just firm.
3) Remove from the oven and let cool. Cut into bite-sized squares.
4) Store in an airtight, labeled container in the fridge for up to five days, or freeze for up to one month.
TOP TIP
Adding 1–2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar to your dog’s food may encourage ticks to leave them alone
Rohini Sathish, DVM, MSC, MRCVS, MHAO, MCIVT
Dr Sathish is an award-winning holistic vet with 22 years of experience. After training in acupuncture, acupressure, energy healing, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), animal communication and herbal medicine, she now actively integrates conventional veterinary treatments with complementary therapies and is co-author of You Can Heal Your Pet (Hay House UK, 2015). You can contact Dr Sathish at her website: www.rohinisholisticvetcare.com
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