What Causes Lyme Disease in Dogs and Cats?

Lyme disease is caused by the microorganismn spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. There are different ticks in different regions that are carriers of the disease. The tick that commonly transmits Lyme disease in the East and Midwest is Ixodes scapularis; in the West, it's Ixodes pacificus.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is an infection that causes arthritis and lameness and is transmitted to animals through the bite of infected ticks. If it is untreated, Lyme disease in dogs can cause heart, kidney, and neurological problems. Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease, which means it can be spread from animals to humans. In this case, Lyme disease can be transmitted if an infected tick from a dog bites a human. Lyme disease is named for the Connecticut town, Lyme, where it was first reported. Lyme disease continues to be a problem in the Northeast U.S. because that's where the Ixodes tick that carries the disease has natural hosts, such as deer and deer mice to prey upon.

Key facts about Lyme disease in dogs and cats

• Zoonotic diseases are transmitted through ticks to people
• Pets with poor immune response may have lingering illness

Which pets are most at risk for Lyme disease?

• Outdoor pets
• Pets with no protection from ticks
• Pets sharing fields with mice and deer
• Pets in Northeastern U.S. and the upper midwest

How does Lyme disease affect people?
Lyme disease is a more serious problem for people than for pets. In pets the biggest problems are with the joints, and possibly with the kidney filtering unit, the glomerulus.

Where should I look for ticks on my pet?
Most often, you can find ticks around the head and neck of your pet. Ticks also like to hide between the toes, on or in the ears, around the ridges of the ears, in the armpit, and groin. Ticks can be very small so when you check your pet, look carefully. Sometimes what looks like a freckle on your pet can be a tick.

How do I remove ticks from my pet?
Using tweezers, grab the tick as near to your pet's skin as you can, and gently pull it straight out. Be careful not to squeeze the tick too hard when removing it because bacteria could be injected into your pet's skin. Alternatives to using tweezers include products such as the TickSee Removal Kit.