Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease and Pets

Lyme disease is not limited to humans.  Pet owners and veterinarians have reported Lyme in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and goats.  Just as with humans, it is important for animals to avoid tick bites and receive prompt treatment for Lyme disease.

• Tick Bite Prevention
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Other Tick-Borne Disease Found in Pets:

• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Cytauxzoonosis
• Ehrlichiosis
• Haemobartonellosis
• Hepatozoonosis
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Pet Health Links

Tick Bite Prevention:

• When walking or exercising your outdoor pet, try to keep it away from grassy or wooded areas and leafy debris.
• Check your pet regularly for ticks, especially after any trips through grassy or wooded areas.  Comb through your pet’s hair thoroughly.
• If you find a find a tick, remove it promptly.
• Consult your veterinarian about treating your dog with tick-killing pesticides (acaricides) or using tick collars.  There are many pesticides aimed at preventing tick bites, but some people and animals are allergic to the chemicals they contain.
• There is currently a Lyme disease vaccine available for dogs.  However, there are varying opinions on its effectiveness.  Consult your veterinarian about the vaccine.
• If you find several ticks on your dog, you may wish to discuss an insecticidal bath with your veterinarian or groomer.

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Symptoms of Lyme in Pets:

Symptoms of Lyme disease in animals are similar to the symptoms in humans.  Although you will not see a skin rash on your pet, they can experience a range of symptoms:

In dogs: Some infected dogs do not experience any symptoms of Lyme.  Symptoms include lethargy, arthritis (displayed as joint pain, shifting from foot to foot, and lameness), loss of appetite, fever, fatigue, kidney damage, heart disorders, and neurologic disorders (including aggression, confusion, overeating).  Symptoms can become chronic.

In cats: Most infected cats do not seem to experience any symptoms of Lyme.  Symptoms include fever, arthritis, loss of appetite, fatigue, eye problems, breathing disorders, heart disorders, “trance-like” state, and possible sudden collapse.

In cattle: Symptoms include arthritis (displayed as joint pain, swelling, stiffness, shifting from foot to foot, and lameness), fever, and weight loss.

In horses: Most infected horses do not seem to experience any symptoms of Lyme.  Symptoms include arthritis (stiffness and swelling in large joints and shifting from foot to foot), loss of appetite, and neurologic disorders (behavioral changes).

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Treatment of Lyme Disease in Pets:

As with humans, animals are generally treated for Lyme disease with amoxicillin or doxycycline.  However, you should consult your veterinarian about proper treatment of your pet.

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