What is Lyme’s Disease?
Lyme’s disease in cats is caused by tick bite. This generally occurs in the northwestern and mid-Atlantic states.
Ticks carry a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme’s disease. They get it from feeding on deer or mice which carry the bacteria in their bloodstream.
NOTE: Humans cannot catch Lyme’s from their pets. They can only get it from another tick.
It is not very obvious that a cat has contracted Lyme’s. Symptoms may include:
Joint Pain
Lethargy
Arthritis
Fever
Lack of appetite
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Lameness
Dehydration
Joint Swelling
Kidney Failure (in rare, severe cases)
How Do They Test For Lyme’s?
To test for Lyme’s disease, vets will generally do two blood tests. The first actually tests for Lyme’s disease. Many cats will test positive for this, even if they are not suffering from Lyme’s. For this reason, they also take a red blood cell count. If this is low, then they will give the official diagnosis of Lyme’s.
The vet will then start the cat on treatment. Antibiotics are generally the preferred course of treatment in Lyme’s disease.
What Should I Do If I Find A Tick On My Cat?
You can either remove it yourself, or bring the cat to the vet and have him remove it for you. If you want to do it yourself, then you will need to wear gloves. Take tweezers and grab the tick and pull slowly. If you yank ti out too fast then the tick may break off, leaving the head buried in your cat’s skin. Then you will definitely have to go to the vet! After you have removed the tick, clean the area with hydrogen peroxide.
How Can I Prevent Lyme’s Disease in My Cat?
Frontline Plus for Cats
The best way to prevent it is to not allow your cat to go outside. Of course, even this isn’t foolproof, as you may bring one in on yourself, or if you have a dog, the dog may be bringing them in as well. If your cat goes outside, or you live in an area where there are a lot of ticks (I live in New Jersey-we have A LOT), then you might want to use a preventative treatment, like a collar or spray. Something like Frontline Plus for Cats, which kills fleas and ticks can be very useful.
