My 5-year-old border collie mix, Dallas, recently tested positive for the Lyme disease antibody. Before we begin a full regimen to treat her, my older daughter, Dallas’ prior owner, is making phone calls to every veterinarian to whom she has taken Dallas to see if Dallas was ever vaccinated for Lyme disease.

If so, the vet thinks the presence of antibodies can be attributed to the vaccination. If not, a blood sample will be tested for titer levels and Dallas will likely undergo a few months of antibiotic treatment (doxycycline, I think).

Dallas shows none of the symptoms described by her veterinarian, although she does have an elevated temperature (102.7 degrees).

I am also wondering what the likelihood is of my 12-year-old daughter and I having contracted Lyme disease if we find out Dallas has it. I have read it can be spread through saliva, and like everybody’s dog, ours slips us the occasional kiss when we get face to face.

Can you tell us of any symptoms humans would experience if we have contracted it?

If Dallas has been vaccinated against Lyme disease, the screening test your veterinarian used to test her (which showed a positive result) is invalid, and the titer testing would be helpful.

You don’t mention why you had Dallas tested for Lyme disease. If this was just a routine test and she had been vaccinated, the significance of the positive test won’t be known without the titer results. If she had signs of Lyme disease (usually arthritis in dogs), the test may be more significant. Her temperature of 102.7 degrees is considered normal, so I wouldn’t worry about that.

In people, Lyme disease can cause arthritis, neurological disease and heart disease. You can’t catch it directly from Dallas but could catch it from infected ticks that might have jumped from her to your body and bitten you and your daughter.

If Dallas has Lyme disease, I would recommend the doxycycline plus supplements to boost her immune system and to prevent side effects (diarrhea).

Dr. Shawn P. Messonnier, author of the “Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats,” is a veterinarian and pet care advocate.