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Can Cats & Kittens Get Lyme Disease?

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Hey Pet Parents & Pet Lovers,

After last week’s article about Pica I’ve been doing a lot more research on illnesses and sicknesses our little ones are susceptible to and thought… hey… can cats actually get Lyme Disease? So I thought I’d share the research I’ve done with you.

Short Answer

Yes, cats can get Lyme disease, but it is very uncommon.

What is Lyme Disease and why talk about it?

Well, I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about Lyme Disease as I have, and have a lot of questions about it. Like, did you know that Lyme Disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world?

What are some Symptoms?

Although most cats don’t show any symptoms, the ones that do commonly show signs of lameness (simply described as difficulty to walk which can either be a full disability, or minor clumsy nature) is caused due to the inflammation in their joints. Lameness can be acute, which means it lasts for short periods (usually around 3-4 days at a time and may recur in the same leg, different legs, or all legs.)

  • Loss of appetite
  • Inflammation in joints
    • Commonly joints will be visually swollen or warm in temperature
  • Lethargy
  • Lameness
  • Kidney, Heart or Nervous System Diseases
    • Very rare although all need to be quickly treated or they can get a lot worse and lead to failure.
    • Brings on vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, increased urination, thirst, fluid build up in the abdomen and tissues.
  • Heavy/Difficult breathing
  • Sensitivity to touch
  • An arched back with a stiff walk
  • Fever
  • Superficial lymph nodes (will appear close to where the tick bites)
  • An open wound (which may have the tick still inside and needs to be removed)

How you can test for Lyme Disease

Lyme disease can be tested through blood tests and a urinalysis. This will also give you an opportunity to check out how much damage (if any) the Lyme disease has had on any of your kitty’s organs. While getting checked, also check for arthritis as it may be a complication of Lyme disease.

How can I help my kitty with their pain?

  • Antibiotics
    • There are a number of antibiotics you can give your little one that will help. I would definitely talk to a vet about it before giving your little ones any medications, and a lot of them will be “over the counter” like Cosequin (an anti-inflammatory)
  • Keep your cat Warm & Dry
    • Warmth helps soothe inflamed joints. this can be done by wrapping your little one in blankets, getting them a nice cosy bed.
  • Controlling activity
    • Because of the pain, your kitty may be, it would be wise to limit their activity. This means little play time as well as making sure there are plenty of litter boxes, and water bowls around the house. It may also be wise to bring food to them instead of leaving it out. (Commonly no food change will be required unless kidney issues are suspected.)
  • Groom your cat daily
    • It’s important to check up on your cat to make sure no new ticks have made their way into their body. Make sure you brush them gently as they will be sensitive, but make sure to do it as it’s important! You can also ask your vet about collars, strays or spot-on topical products to kill and repel the ticks. (Only use these if recommended as they can be harsh on the cat’s body)

Hope you learned as much as me! This was definitely an interesting topic to research! Have any other questions? Let me know and I’ll put in my research!

 

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Minko was limping several years ago, before he got sick with all his other issues. Not sure if there was a connection between those events. Anyways before when he was limping, I noticed a tick on his neck. I had to pull it off, not sure how long it was there, but he did get outside at times, through the dog door…what a rascal. Anyways, he started to limp and hide and didn’t seem interested in food that much. He went to the vet who poo-pooed the idea that he could have Lyme, but at my insistence she gave me the antibiotic for it. This was the same vet who was not happy to know I hand/force fed Minko…and said he needed a bunch of tests before she would prescribe anything to help him when he got sick. You can be assured I stopped going to that practice…

    Reply

    • I’m not happy about what I’m hearing about this vet. I’m so shocked that vets refuse to believe that something may be happening. I also had a vet who would disagree with me doing specific tests. I know I’m not an “animal expert” but I would say, I have a pretty firm grasp of my knowledge about cats. He would always shut down every one of my ideas of what was going on with Beau, even though when I switched vets I found out I was completely right. *sigh* vets.

      Reply

  2. I’d never even thought of this … but it makes sense! I’ve talked to so many people who had no idea cats suffer from many of the same maladies as humans. Then again, there are the misnomers like “Feline AIDS” that’s very different from the human version.

    Reply

    • I was always confused why they called it Feline AIDS to be honest. It’s something I need to research, but I always found it odd…

      Reply

  3. while he’s not allowed out; I have a can of “food grade” diatomaceous earth on hand
    for tuna and another for sprinkling outside. we get a lot of chipmunks around the
    property. I’m always under the assumption, better safe than sorry… and if I never NEED
    to use it, ….. I’m blessed ♥♥ 🙂

    Reply

  4. My angel Spooky had lyme disease. Before we adopted him, he was a neighbor’s cat and always outdoors. He was on flea and tick preventative, but he was still always covered in ticks.

    Reply

  5. Egads! Patty O’Malley had a tick under his chin, in a spot that I couldn’t get at without his teeth biting me! I managed to get some die-tick-die stuff, and the critter dropped off in a day, but I just kick myself for the days it took me to figure something out. Honestly, I had NO idea that we could even have ticks in our yard; of course, they were in the woods and fields…but my YARD?!? Anyhoo…Patty did not exhibit any of these symptoms, but the next time I manage to get him to the vet, perhaps I’ll have him tested for Lyme Disease. The Hubby caught it many, many years ago, but he was on antibiotics within 30 days, and I figure it was caught and eradicated before he was damaged. At least, that’s what I tell myself!

    Reply

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