Lyme disease, or borreliosis, is a bacterial disease caused by ticks. Lyme disease is treatable, but the symptoms are often overlooked and the ticks that cause it are often small enough to evade a visual body check. A blood test is required for proper diagnosis. Once diagnosed, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, but your cat can become reinfected if bitten again. In areas of the country where Lyme is prevalent, your veterinarian may recommend a preventative vaccination. Learn to recognize the symptoms of Lyme disease--because the earlier it is treated, the better the recovery results.
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Painful Muscles
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Lyme can cause painful joint and muscle conditions in your cat. If she appears stiff, achy or unable or unwilling to enjoy her usual activities, she could be suffering from Lyme. Lyme-related muscle pain can occur suddenly unlike arthritis pain which builds up slowly. A cat does not show pain as clearly as a dog, but you may notice an altered gait or difficulty jumping.
Fatigue
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Lethargy and fatigue are a common symptom of Lyme. As your cat battles the bacteria, his energy level will decrease. The cat is not known for having boundless, uncontrolled energy--sleeping up to 24-hours a day--but if your cat seems unusually tired and weakened, you may want to have him tested for Lyme. Many cat owners report that their cats become "zombies," standing listlessly for minutes at a time.
Fever
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Lyme often causes fever in cats. Your cat's temperature should be somewhere between 100.5 to 102.5 degrees F. You can take her temperature using a rectal thermometer, but if you are not comfortable with that, an instant-read digital thermometer can be used in her ear. Your veterinarian can instruct you on the best way to take her temperature and let you know your cat's normal temperature. A reading two degrees above normal may indicate fever.
Poor Appetite
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Lyme disease affects a cat's appetite. Cats are notoriously picky about their food, but if you are noticing a marked decrease in the amount of food your cat is eating or if he begins to shun some of his favorites, you should take notice. There are many reasons a cat may develop a poor appetite, but if his eating habits are combined with stiffness, lethargy and fatigue, you should test for Lyme.
Paralysis
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Untreated, Lyme disease can cause paralysis and loss of muscle function. Often, the signs will begin in the back legs. Limping, weakness, trembling and lack of coordination may appear. Shortly--sometimes within a day or two--this loss of function will affect the front legs. This is an emergency situation. If your cat is showing any kind of neuromuscular control problems, take her to the veterinarian immediately.
Swollen Lymph Glands
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Lyme disease can cause swollen lymph glands in your cat. The easiest to locate are the pairs of glands that are located at the jaw angle, the front shoulders, on the chest near your cat's armpit. There are lymph glands located towards the rear of the abdomen and on the back legs as well. If you feel any suspicious swelling or lumps in these areas, it could be a sign of Lyme or other infection. There may be heat associated with these swellings, as well.
Prevention
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Lyme disease is not usually a problem with indoor cats, but for outdoor cats in many parts of the country, tick control is an ongoing battle. There are topical drops you can apply to your cat that will kill ticks within 24 hours. Collars are also available, but unless they are fitted snugly, they may not provide full protection. Your veterinarian may recommend a Lyme disease vaccine if you live in an area of the country with a heavy tick population.
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