You may have heard in the recent news about new cases of Lyme disease, which are generally on the rise. A few months ago, Justin Timberlake also announced that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease, sparking debate about the condition. Many people have questions about it: is it fatal, what treatment is needed, etc.
Pet owners are most concerned about whether their pets can carry the pathogens and whether this affects them too.
The first thing to know is that Lyme disease is a zoonosis, meaning it is a disease that spreads from animals to humans. According to one organisation that deals with Lyme disease, it may be surprising that more than 60% of all diseases originate in animals. The first step in maintaining good health is to understand how these diseases spread. To understand the risks and early symptoms, we spoke with Dr Karan Malhotra, a dermatology consultant at CMRI in Kolkata.
How is Lyme disease spread?
Zoonoses can be spread in several ways. The most direct way is through animal-to-human contact, which can be as simple as a bite from an infected animal, such as in the case of rabies.
In the United States, the most common is Lyme disease, which can be spread by ticks after they bite an infected animal. Ticks are actually responsible for 94% of all vector-borne diseases in the country, and mosquitoes infect millions of people worldwide each year with diseases such as malaria.
Are pet owners at greater risk for Lyme disease?
Pet owners are most concerned about whether their pets can bring ticks and disease into their homes.
“Yes, that’s true,” says Dr. Malhotra. “If you have a pet, especially a cat or dog, you are more likely to encounter ticks and potentially contract Lyme disease, as pets can bring them into your home and pass them on to family members.”
Because of this, households with pets are nearly twice as likely to have ticks in their homes and 1.5 times more likely to find ticks on their family members than households without pets.
Are there any signs that your pet has Lyme disease?
“Yes, absolutely. Pets can also become infected with Lyme disease,” confirms Dr. Malhotra. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is spread by infected ticks. If a tick attaches itself to your pet, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, leading to serious health problems. Some pets do not show any symptoms, but the most common symptoms to look out for are:
- Lethargy and fatigue: Your pet seems unusually tired or less active.
- Fever
- Loss of appetite.
- Changing lameness: Your pet’s lameness seems to shift from one leg to another.
What happens if Lyme disease is left untreated?
If left untreated, Lyme disease can lead to serious complications in both humans and pets. “Untreated Lyme disease can lead to significant complications affecting the joints, heart and nervous system,” explains Dr. Malhotra. These complications can include:
Lyme arthritis: joint pain and swelling.
Heart problems: heart block and slow heart rate.
Neurological problems: facial paralysis, nerve damage and cognitive difficulties, such as brain fog.
The bacteria can spread from the initial bite to other organs and tissues, and if not treated promptly, can cause these widespread problems.
(C) Lyme Borreliosis Foundation
