Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Animals and humans are infected by tick bites. It is a common misconception that Lyme disease is caused by ticks, because ticks only spread the disease. Lyme disease is primarily spread by Ixodes ticks. They usually feed on deer and other wildlife such as rabbits and foxes.
Lyme disease is common in North America and affects all types of mammals, including humans. It is not common in cats, but they can also become infected.
What is Lyme Disease in Cats?
Lyme disease in cats is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi which is a bacterium and is transmitted through a tick bite. Lyme disease is a debilitating disease that affects many different organs and systems in the body, including the joints, nervous system, heart, and kidneys. There are at least four known types of ticks that are believed to transmit the disease. The most common of these ticks is the deer tick, also known as the black-legged tick.
Cats become infected when an infected tick bites a cat. Once the tick is attached to the cat, it takes between 1 and 2 days for the bacteria to be transmitted. They pass the bacteria through their saliva. This is why it is always advised to quickly remove ticks that are visibly attached. The risk of infection is highest when ticks are looking for hosts—this is spring for nymphs and spring and fall for adults. When a cat is bitten by an infected tick, it can take several months for clinical signs to develop, and some cats may not show any clinical signs.
What Are the Signs of Lyme Disease in Cats?
It is actually very rare for cats to show clinical signs when they are infected with Lyme disease. Common signs are general and nonspecific and may include:
- Lameness
- Dizziness
- Increased sleep time
- No appetite
- Less interactive than usual
- Fever
- Stiffness of the joints
- Inflammation of the joints
If the disease spreads to the organs in the body and begins to affect them, additional clinical signs can be seen such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Edema of the limbs
- Trembling
- Stomach swelling
Unlike people and dogs, cats often do not react when they are bitten on sight. Dogs and people often get a characteristic “bull’s eye” rash, but it is not commonly reported in cats.
What Causes Lyme Disease in Cats?
Lyme disease in cats is caused by being bitten by an infected tick Borrelia Burgdorferi.
The tick must be attached to the cat for 24–48 hours to transmit the bacteria. The bacteria invade the body and replicate rapidly, migrating through tissues and affecting many organs.
Due to the fact that they groom themselves regularly, cats often remove ticks while they lick themselves. This usually happens before the bacteria has a chance to be transmitted to the cat from the tick. This may explain why Lyme disease is less common in cats than in other animals such as dogs.
How Is Lyme Disease Diagnosed in Cats?
The diagnosis of Lyme disease is usually based on clinical signs and history. Your veterinarian will likely rule out other causes of any clinical signs that are present first, since Lyme disease is not common in cats. Your vet will first talk to you to get a full history, including any relevant travel history and whether or not your cat goes outside. They will examine your cat from head to tail and may decide to perform blood tests and urinalysis.
There is a specific blood test for Lyme disease that can be performed, and other diagnostic tests can help your veterinarian assess the severity of the disease. Disappointingly, cats may not test positive for Lyme disease until 8 weeks after the bite.
How Do I Care for a Cat with Lyme Disease?
Cats diagnosed with Lyme disease should be given a course of antibiotics. The usual course length is 30 days, although some cats may need a longer course of antibiotics—it depends on how severe the infection is. The antibiotic commonly given to treat Lyme disease is doxycycline. It is very effective against bacteria; however, not all cats can tolerate it. Some cats can develop esophageal strictures when given oral doxycycline because the tablet can get stuck. Your vet may offer your cat the liquid form or advise you to flush the pill down your cat’s throat with water after giving them a pill.
As well as antibiotics, your vet may prescribe pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. It can help with joint pain. Depending on how severe the infection is, they may also provide supportive care, for example, intravenous fluid therapy, and nutritional support. It all depends on what organs are affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cats survive Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is very rare in cats. If your cat is infected, and the infection is detected early, then the prognosis is good. Cats can make a full recovery with prompt antibiotics if the disease is caught in a mild, early stage. If a cat gets sick and for some reason, it is not noticed and not treated, then it will be more complicated to treat, and recovery will take longer.
How serious is Lyme disease in cats?
Lyme disease can be very serious in cats if it goes undiagnosed. If cats are infected, the disease can progress to cause lameness, lethargy, stiff limbs and fatigue, difficulty breathing, and kidney problems among other things. On the other hand, some cats can be infected but do not show clinical signs, so the severity of the disease varies.
Can cats transmit Lyme disease to humans?
It is impossible for cats to transmit Lyme disease directly to humans. However, your cat can bring infected ticks into the home, and they can easily be transferred from your cat to you. If they bite any person in the house and they become infected Borrelia burgdorferi, they will pass it on, and people can become infected. This is why it is so important to use a parasite treatment in tick prevention.
Conclusion
Lyme disease is relatively rare in cats. It is caused by bacteria and is spread by ticks. If caught early, it is straightforward to treat, and the prognosis is good. If the disease is allowed to progress, it can become a debilitating condition and the prognosis is poorer. Common complications include long-term kidney damage and arthritis.
It is a zoonotic disease so people should also be careful. It is very important to stay current on tick prevention treatment, especially in areas where there are many ticks.
Featured Image Credit: anastasia parfenyuk, Shutterstock
