Domestic Dogs as Sentinels for Lyme Disease: A One Health Approach

Abstract

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States, threatening the lives of both humans and animals. With domestic dogs being present in 68 million US households, they are not only ideal companion animals but also serve as potential early indicators of disease risk. This research explores the role of domestic dogs as effective early warning signals, also known as sentinel species, for tracking the spread of Lyme disease. This technique would be effective to combat underreporting in regions with high disease prevalence, such as the Northeast and Midwest. By analyzing studies that demonstrate the correlation between Lyme bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) exposure in dogs and reported human cases, this review highlights how veterinary testing data can enhance public health surveillance. The findings show a clear link between canine Lyme disease seroprevalence and human disease incidence, increasing understanding of the environmental risk present in an area. Applying a One Health approach, this research emphasizes the importance of collaboration between veterinarians and public health departments to enhance early detection, fill surveillance gaps, and improve prevention strategies against Lyme disease.