Facts on Lyme Disease for Pet Owners What You, Fido, and Felix Need to Know About Lyme Disease
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme Disease, or Borreliosis, is a bacterial infection
transmitted by the bite of a deer tick (also known as a
blacklegged tick, or bear tick), as seen above, on a blade
of grass. The bacterial agent is the spirochete Borrelia
burgdorferi.
Although the disease was first recognized in Old Lyme, CT,
(hence the name "Lyme Disease"), it is found more or less all
over the world. In fact, the only state in the U.S. with no
reported cases is Montana.
Can my pets get Lyme Disease?
Yes, and dogs seem particularly susceptible. Cats are
less likely to contract the disease, possibly because they
tend to groom the ticks off of themselves before they can
contract the disease. Livestock, such as cattle and horses
are also affected in some cases.
Can I get Lyme Disease from my pet?
Even if your pet does contract Lyme Disease, there is
no evidence that you can contract the infection directly
from your pet. However, if your pet has been outside and is
carrying an infected tick that has not yet attached itself
to your pet, it is possible that the tick could be brushed
off on you and bite you instead, putting you
at risk for infection.
How can I decrease my risk of contracting Lyme Disease?
First and foremost, protect yourself when you go
outside, with or without your pet. The summer months are the
most risky(see The Lifecycle of the Tick for
more information). Wear long pants and sleeves, and
tuck pantlegs into socks. Keep hair tied back, and
check clothes often for ticks. Apply an insect
repellant containing DEET to exposed skin.
To protect your pets, use a tick collar recommended by
your veterinarian, and check them often for ticks.
Keeping them and yourself out of overgrown areas is the
best prevention.
If you DO find a tick on yourself or your pet, remove it by
grasping it as close to the head as possible with tweezers
and pulling it straight out. Afterwards, dispose by
drowning in alcohol, or in some cases you can send the tick
to a university or public health laboratory to have it
tested.
What are the symptoms of Lyme Disease?
In humans, flu-like symptoms may occur, but it
is not uncommon for symptoms to vary. Characteristic of the
disease is the "bullseye rash" (Erythema Migrans):
In pets, the symptoms are even harder to recognize, though
the most common is arthritis, manifesting in swollen joints
and lameness. Malaise and poor appetite may also
occur.
Is Lyme Disease curable?
Yes. If you or your pets exhibit any symptoms,
particularly the characteristic rash, or if you are bitten
by a tick, a blood test can be performed to check for the
bacteria in the blood. If detected early and treated, the
prognosis is very good. Doctors and veterinarians will
prescribe a course of antibiotics to kill the spirochete.
More advanced cases are treatable, but recovery may be more
difficult. Tetracycline is most often used in the
treatment, but penicillin is also used, especially in
children.
Is there a vaccine for Lyme Disease?
Vaccines are available for pets and humans,
though their uses are questionable. The human vaccine
has been available for a very short time. Also, the
canine vaccine will cause any blood tests taken to show
positive results for Lyme Disease, possibly obscuring
actual infection.
Photo from American Lyme Disease Foundation.
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