With warmer weather, we always get calls from clients who have found a tick on their horse and are concerned about Lyme Disease.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete transmitted by Ixodes ticks. The bacteria lives in the “gut” of the tick and is transferred to the horse as the tick feeds.
Fever, diffuse muscle soreness, shifting limb lameness, behavior changes (spookiness/aggression), and generalized joint stiffness are the most commonly seen clinical signs.
Many of these clinical signs can be caused by or confused with a combination of other factors such as age, level of work, orthopedic problems, or other infections. Diagnosis is made by a blood test.
Lyme disease can be treated with tetracycline antibiotics. Oxytetracycline is administered intravenously (IV) while Doxycycline is administered orally.
Treatment is typically continued for 3-4 weeks and titers should be retested to document a decrease below “normal” exposure levels before treatment is stopped.
A number of cases have required much more aggressive and longer treatment plans than required in previous years.
If you are interested in having your horse tested for Lyme disease, or have more questions, please call (716) 629-8384.
We’ll set up an appointment or add this test to your upcoming spring visit. We look forward to hearing from you!
