Can Cats Get Lyme Disease?

Many of us are aware that both humans and dogs can get Lyme disease, but can cats get Lyme disease? Lyme disease in cats can occur, although it's rare. Read on to learn more about how this tick-transmitted disease impacts our feline companions as well as the clinical signs that your cat may have it.

Lyme Disease: An Overview

Lyme disease is caused by the spiral-shaped bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, and it's transmitted via an infected tick. Once a person or animal becomes infected, the bacteria travel through the bloodstream to multiple locations, such as the joints, kidneys and the heart, leading to health issues further down the line.

While it was once thought that only the deer tick transmitted Lyme disease, entomologists have since discovered that several species of common ticks may be involved in the disease's transmission.

Can Cats Get Lyme Disease?

For one reason or another, your favorite kitty is not a tick's first choice for a meal. However, this doesn't make cats exempt from tick bites. Although the tick that most often carries the disease-causing bacteria prefers wildlife such as voles, mice and deer, it's content sampling the blood of our household kitties — and even your own. Luckily, ticks don't hop and are slow-moving crawlers, making them much easier to avoid than pesky insects like mosquitoes or fleas.

According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, studies have shown that ticks infected with the Lyme disease-causing bacteria only transmit the bacteria after the tick has been attached and has fed on the host animal for 36 to 48 hours. Because of this, you can reduce your cat's chance catching Lyme disease by examining them daily, especially during tick season.

If you do spot a tick, it should be removed promptly. Beware that ticks can transmit the disease to humans, so avoid touching them with your bare hands. Wear disposable gloves when removing a tick and wash your hands afterward. Contrary to popular belief, you can't get Lyme disease if your cat (or dog) has it. Another myth is that your cat can get Lyme disease from eating mice; there's no truth to this.

Clinical Signs of Lyme Disease in Cats

According to Merck Veterinary Manual, cats often won't show any physical signs of the illness, even if they're infected with it. For cats that do experience physical signs, the most common include:

• Limping
• Fever
• Decreased or loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Unwillingness to jump to heights or perches they normally favor
• Panting or difficulty breathing

Should you notice any of these signs during tick season, you should seek veterinary attention. If your veterinarian diagnoses your cat with Lyme disease, treatment will involve an oral antibiotic to clear the bacterium from your cat's system. Because Lyme disease can also affect the kidneys, joints, nervous system and heart, your vet will also closely evaluate these organ systems and ensure no targeted treatment is needed.