People mostly think of Lyme disease in relation to humans, but the fact is the pets can contract it as well. Lyme disease transmission has been reported in 14 states in the US, mostly in the Northeast. It ranges from Virginia in the South to Maine in the North and across to Minnesota in the West. Anyone living in these areas should be extra vigilant about Lyme disease tick bites on themselves and their pets, because it is possible for the tick to carry Lyme disease.
Which Ticks Cause Lyme?
The most common carrier of Lyme disease in the US is the black legged tick, also referred to as the deer tick. Ticks feed on the blood of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. This being the case, they can pick up various bacteria that cause disease. In the case of Lyme, the bacteria is Borrelia burgdorferi. It is a spirochete, that is, a bacteria shaped like a corkscrew. This allows the disease to burrow into tissue to the point where it is hard to remove it all, even after the usual course of antibiotics prescribed for most Lyme patients.
The Western black-legged tick has been linked to cases of Lyme in the Pacific Northwest. The Lone Star tick has been connected with cases of Lyme in Texas.
If you live in any of these areas, it is important to keep an eye on your pets to ensure they remain tick and disease free.
Where Do These Ticks Live?
The ticks that carry Lyme live in the Northern latitudes and love cool, dark places, wooded areas and tall grass. Some tick bites have also been reported in relation to rural cottages and holiday properties. This means that even if you don’t live in an area where Lyme is endemic, you can still catch it if you and your pets go on vacation in those areas.
Pets such as cats and dogs that are allowed to roam freely outside of the home will be at particular risk. They could easily pick up a hitchhiker as they stride through tall grass, especially if they are a long-haired breed. Because cats and dogs are so low to the ground, it is easier for them get latched onto by at tick as compared with humans.
This being the case, it is smart to use flea and tick protection on a regular basis, such as Frontline. If you live in an area where Lyme is particularly prevalent, you should use a tick collar in addition to flea and tick treatment. You might also consider using natural methods, such as dried flowers like lavender in their beds and essential oils like rose geranium, lavender or lemon grass to keep bugs at bay.
Signs of Lyme in Pets
If you have taken all of these preventive measures but your pet still gets bitten by a tick, try not to panic. Remove it safely by spraying with a garden hose or shower head.
Lyme disease is rare in cats, but becoming more common in dogs. Look for the following signs and symptoms:
- Sudden lameness that may clear up, then come back again, either in the same leg, or in a different one, known as “shifting-leg lameness.”
- One or more joints that are swollen, warm, and painful.
- Kidney problems/changes in urination
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Increased urination and thirst
Other symptoms associated with Lyme disease in pets include:
- Stiff walk with an arched back
- Sensitivity to touch
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Depression, lack of interest in their usual activities
- Swollen lymph nodes near the site of the tick bite
- Heart abnormalities (rare), such as irregular heart beat
- Nervous system complications (rare), such as twitching or cognitive dysfunction
Antibiotics should clear up these symptoms within a few days, but some pets may experience long-term symptoms of Lyme, just as people do.
