Diseases - IlCat.org

Charlene Said:

What is wrong with my cat? Does he have Lyme Disease?

We Answered:

What kind of tick was it? A dog tick, deer tick, ..ect

"Some owners have described Lyme-infected cats as being in a "zombie like trance". Often, Lyme disease is only diagnosed because the owner notices a tick or a tick bite on the cat; otherwise the symptoms are ambiguous and can be mistaken for other illnesses. Studies of cats deliberately infected with Lyme disease showed that some show no symptoms at all! According to American researchers, infected ticks do not start to transmit the bacteria until they have been sucking a host's blood for 10-12 hours which is why it is important to remove ticks as soon as possible. "

"The main guidelines used by US cat owners in Lyme-affected areas are:

* does your cat show evidence of a tick-bite?
* has the cat been exposed to ticks in grassland or woodland where the tick's main hosts are present or an area where cases of Lyme disease have been reported?
* is the cat suffering from lameness, painful joints, lethargy, anorexia or low-grade fever?
* does a bloodtest reveal antibodies to the Lyme bacteria?
* does an analysis of the offending tick (if it was removed from the cat and kept in a jar) reveal Borrelia bacteria?
* do symptoms quickly subside when antibiotics are given?

Even if the answer to all of these is yes, it is still not conclusive proof that Lyme disease is causing the illness since cats in some areas have high antibody levels due to past exposure to Borrelia; but American vets believe it is worthwhile having a blood test done any time Lyme disease is suspected even if this serves only to rule out Borrelia infection as the cause of the cat's symptoms.

Although Lyme disease does not appear to pose a major threat to cats, who seem more resistant to it than humans or dogs, its most dangerous feature is that it may go unrecognised and undiagnosed. "

Rosa Said:

My cat bit the tip of my penis. it is bleeding and im afraid i got lyme disease?

We Answered:

Well, don't worry about it you won't get anything like that.
But may be you will get some viral infections.
But how come did that happen ? Were you playing with your cat?

Irma Said:

Can cats get lyme disease?

We Answered:

In America, the disease has become a problem in some regions although it is probably being overdiagnosed and some cat owners are becoming almost paranoid about it. Due to its prevalence in areas of abandoned farmland, Lyme disease is well documented in American pet magazines and journals. In Britain, it is less well known despite an article in on human Lyme Disease in the "Which Way To Health" magazine.

In cats, symptoms suggestive of Lyme disease are:

painful or stiff muscles and joints
fatigue
fever
loss of appetite
possibly sudden collapse
Some owners have described Lyme-infected cats as being in a "zombielike trance". Often, Lyme disease is only diagnosed because the owner notices a tick or a tick bite on the cat; otherwise the symptoms are ambiguous and can be mistaken for other illnesses. Studies of cats deliberately infected with Lyme disease showed that some show no symptoms at all! According to American researchers, infected ticks do not start to transmit the bacteria until they have been sucking a host's blood for 10-12 hours which is why it is important to remove ticks as soon as possible.

In humans, early symptoms include:

ring-shaped rash around the site of the tick bite
fever
headache
sore glands
arthritis-like muscular aches
Later symptoms include:

"Lyme arthritis"
painful joints
brain- and nerve-related problems (meningitis, heart and skin problems, paralysis of facial muscles)
Chronic effects have been reported - and denied - in America where the disease is more widespread and apparently more severe than in Britain. Very few tick bites lead to to serious complications and Lyme disease in both cats and humans can be treated with antibiotics, treatment being most effective in the early stages.

Pet owners cannot get Lyme disease directly from their pets; it is only transmitted by the ticks which remain in vegetation between meals.

In the US, feline Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics such as amoxicillin, tetracycline and doxycycline; which are quickly effective if treatment is started early. Cats which have had Lyme disease may still become reinfected through subsequent tick-bites. In the US, where the disease is more problematical, there is a vaccine available (with mixed results) for dogs, but none available for cats.

American vets recommend keeping cats indoors as the best way to avoid Lyme disease. Failing that, a tick-collar formulated for use by cats is recommended; many flea collars do not repel ticks and dog's tick collars may be toxic to cats. A daily tick check for free-roaming cats is advisable as is regular spraying with a parasite-spray containing permethrin.

If you live in an area where Lyme disease is likely, check your cat regularly for ticks. Ticks can be carefully removed with tweezers used with a twisting motion. Be careful not to jerk a tick from the skin as its buried mouthparts may be left behind and cause an abscess. Although many people use a drop of alcohol to loosen the tick's grasp, or smother it with petroleum jelly, these methods can cause the tick to regurgitate saliva (which might contain the Borrelia organism) into the bite wound. If your cat does develop worrying symptoms later, remember to tell your vet that it has been bitten by a tick.

The main guidelines used by US cat owners in Lyme-affected areas are:

does your cat show evidence of a tick-bite?
has the cat been exposed to ticks in grassland or woodland where the tick's main hosts are present or an area where cases of Lyme disease have been reported?
is the cat suffering from lameness, painful joints, lethargy, anorexia or low-grade fever?
does a bloodtest reveal antibodies to the Lyme bacteria?
does an analysis of the offending tick (if it was removed from the cat and kept in a jar) reveal Borrelia bacteria?
do symptoms quickly subside when antibiotics are given?
Even if the answer to all of these is yes, it is still not conclusive proof that Lyme disease is causing the illness since cats in some areas have high antibody levels due to past exposure to Borrelia; but American vets believe it is worthwhile having a blood test done any time Lyme disease is suspected even if this serves only to rule out Borrelia infection as the cause of the cat's symptoms.

Although Lyme disease does not appear to pose a major threat to cats, who seem more resistant to it than humans or dogs, its most dangerous feature is that it may go unrecognised and undiagnosed.

Juanita Said:

What is that disease that is transmitted from cat to cat? is it feline lyme disease?

We Answered:

Hi there!

Since I have had Lyme Disease myself for 18 years now, (Diagnosed way too late to be cured), your question jumped at me immediately.

Lyme Disease is transmitted by the bite of a tick that is carrying the bacteria that causes the disease. It is thought possible that fleas can be a vector as well. In humans Lyme MAY be transmitted sexually, but the jury is out on that. In humans it can be transmitted to a fetus in utero from an infected mother.

So it is possible that Lyme Disease may therefore be transmitted by a Lyme Disease infected cat through mating, but I have not read anything in the feline literature about that.

The Lyme Disease vaccine is not, at this time one that has been perfected. Personally I would not waste my money on it. Again, prevention is important.
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/lyme.h…

You may be talking about FIV or another highly contageous disease which can be transmitted from cat to cat:

For a list of diseases that are transmissible between cats, and there are vaccines available to help prevent contageon, visit:

http://www.michiganhumane.org/site/PageS…

There is no vaccine yet for FIV, so prevention is the only way by not exposing your cat to strange cats and keeping your cat indoors.

To read about vaccine protocols and more information about some of the benefits and risks, visit:
http://catshots.com/

I had a cat that developed Vaccine Associated Sarcoma from a rabies vaccine. This cancer is basically untreatable, and almost always fatal in the end. There are some treatments available to prolong the cat's life, but nonetheless it is a risk.

Hope that this helps, and good luck with your new kitten and your cat.

Troublesniffer
Owned by cats for over 40 years

Member Cat Writer's Association

Mike Said:

is lyme disease contagious in animals?

We Answered:

To contract Lyme disease, you must be bitten by an infected deer tick. The bacteria enter your skin through the bite and eventually make their way into your bloodstream. Before bacteria can be transmitted, a deer tick must take a blood meal and that can take more than 48 hours of feeding. Only ticks that are attached to your skin and are feeding can transmit the bacteria. An attached tick that has a swollen appearance may indicate that enough time has elapsed to transmit bacteria. Removing the tick as soon as possible may prevent infection

Sandra Said:

lyme disease and cats?

We Answered:

People, dogs and cats can get Lyme disease, however, people cannot get the disease from their pets.

In cats, symptoms suggestive of Lyme disease are:

painful or stiff muscles and joints
fatigue
fever
loss of appetite
possibly sudden collapse