Lyme disease in cats: symptoms, treatment and prevention
Cats, just like dogs and people, can occasionally contract Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium transmitted through tick bites. Although rare in the UK and especially unusual in cats, understanding this condition is vital to ensure your feline companion’s wellbeing.
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is an infection carried by certain species of ticks, particularly those found in areas with long grass or woodland. The bacterium enters a cat’s bloodstream via an infected tick bite, potentially causing serious health problems. However, not every tick bite leads to infection; cats are generally resilient and often their immune systems can fight off the bacterium before illness develops.
How is Lyme disease transmitted to cats?
Transmission occurs when a tick, having previously fed on small infected animals like mice, attaches to a cat and feeds on its blood. The tick must be attached for 24 to 48 hours to reliably transmit the bacterium. After feeding, ticks drop off on their own, but they need careful removal to avoid leaving parts embedded in the skin, which can cause irritation or secondary infections.
Ticks and disease transmission risks
Ticks commonly inhabit long grass, woodlands, and marshy areas — places your cat might explore outdoors. Ticks carrying Lyme bacteria do not guarantee transmission to the cat, as this also depends on the duration of tick attachment and the cat’s immune response. Importantly, Lyme disease is not contagious between cats, dogs, or people. It can only be caught through tick bites.
Recognising symptoms of Lyme disease in cats
Symptoms can take weeks or even months to manifest after a tick bite, so early detection is challenging but important. If you’ve removed a tick from your cat, keep an eye out for any unusual signs in the following weeks. Sometimes, ticks detach without the owner noticing, so vigilance is key, especially in tick-prone areas.
- Lameness or shifting lameness affecting different legs
- Fever and elevated temperature
- Lethargy or depression
- Loss of appetite
- Body stiffness and muscle pain
- Painful, hunched posture
Treatment of Lyme disease in cats
Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Lyme disease is usually treated successfully with a course of antibiotics, commonly doxycycline, which helps eliminate the bacterial infection. Delayed treatment can lead to serious complications including kidney failure, heart and lung issues, and neurological damage. Any such complications will also require veterinary care.
Preventing tick bites and Lyme disease
Prevention is the best strategy. Using effective tick control products designed for cats, such as spot-on treatments like Frontline Combo or Advocate, can protect your cat from tick attachment and biting.
- Apply recommended tick-preventatives monthly during tick season, especially when your cat has outdoor access.
- Regularly check your cat, particularly after outdoor excursions, for ticks and remove any promptly.
- Use a tick removal tool (tick twister) to carefully remove ticks, ensuring the entire tick is extracted.
- Keep your garden tidy by mowing grass and removing leaf litter to reduce tick habitats.
- Limit your cat’s access to heavily wooded or long grass areas where ticks are common.
- Consult your vet about any vaccinations or additional preventive measures if available and suitable.
Looking after your cat’s health responsibly
Responsible pet ownership involves proper tick prevention and awareness of Lyme disease symptoms. Prompt veterinary advice at the first signs of illness ensures the best outcome for your cat’s health and happiness.
