Just like humans, cats can get Lyme disease. Tick-borne diseases like Lyme in cats can turn into serious issues if not treated in a timely manner.
How Do Ticks Give Cats Lyme Disease?
The bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi is carried by blacklegged ticks that attach themselves to deer, mice, and other small animals. This bacteria doesn’t make those animals sick but can cause Lyme disease when carried to another animal or human. Certain kinds of ticks in specific stages of their life cycle are most likely to give Lyme disease to your cat.
In the springtime, ticks in grass and other kinds of vegetation will attach themselves to a host. Almost immediately, the tick’s bite results in the reproduction of Borrelia burgdorferi in the host’s body. Your cat can show early signs of Lyme disease as early as four weeks after they’ve been bitten.
Can Cats Get Lyme Disease?
The short answer is yes — cats can get Lyme disease. However, cat Lyme disease is typically seen in laboratory settings, and it rarely happens in nature. Lyme disease is possible but uncommon in cats. Borrelia burgdorferi is capable of infecting cats, so even though it isn’t a pressing issue among cat owners, you should still be familiar with signs of infection and how it’s passed.
In addition to Lyme disease, cats can also get other tick-borne diseases. These include:
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Haemobartonellosis
- Tularemia
- Cytauxzoonosis
- Babesiosis
What Are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Cats?
A cat with Lyme disease doesn’t always show symptoms. It’s also possible for a cat to have symptoms such as:
- Kidney issues
- Frequent urination and poor bladder control
- Stomach swelling
- Difficulty breathing
- Sensitive to the touch
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Decreased appetite
- Stiffness and swelling in muscles and joints
If your cat is showing any one of these symptoms during warm weather, you should see a vet immediately.
What Is the Treatment for Lyme Disease in Cats?
If you’ve noticed and/or removed a tick from your pet, or if your pet is showing symptoms, you should bring them to a veterinarian for diagnosis. They will likely perform a blood test on your cat to see if there is a spike in antibodies for the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi.
Your vet may prescribe an antibiotic for your cat. Research shows that cats treated immediately for tick-borne diseases have a greater chance of full recovery than cats receiving delayed treatment. An untreated infection could result in lasting tissue damage.
How Do I Protect My Cat from Lyme Disease?
Your cat is more at risk if you live in a tick-prone area. If this is the case, make an extra effort to prevent or lessen tick exposure.
There is no vaccine to protect against tick-borne diseases in cats. You can use a safe insect repellent when you take your cat outdoors. Cats can be sensitive to insecticides, so you should seek advice from your veterinarian before using anything on your cat.
Your veterinarian might also be able to guide you to other preventative measures, like collars and spot-on treatments.
After spending time outside with your cat, brush and examine their fur for ticks. If you do find a tick, remove it immediately with tweezers. Grab the tick as close to where it’s attached to the skin as possible — don’t just pinch the head.
As you try to keep your cat safe from Lyme disease, keep in mind that ticks can also transmit diseases to humans. Wear gloves when searching for and removing ticks, don’t let them touch your bare skin, and place the tick in a jar of alcohol before washing your hands.
