Advertisement. Lyme disease is an infection that is caused by bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria are transmitted by the bites of deer ticks called Lxodes dammini.Although named deer tick, it commonly affects furry animals like dogs.dvertisement. Lyme disease is an infection that is caused by bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria are transmitted by the bites of deer ticks called Lxodes dammini. Although named deer tick, it commonly affects furry animals like dogs.