Equine Lyme Disease Symptoms

Equine lyme disease is an infectious disease which affects horses. Disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia Burgdorferi. It is not a fatal disease, although the symptoms of equine lyme disease are not easily detected. So it needs a careful observation. Scroll down to find out more about equine lyme disease.

Willy Burgdorfer did not have the faintest idea that the causes of a tick borne disease, he identified in 1982, would go such a long way in creating a cure for that disease. The disease is called Lyme disease and is so called because, a number of cases came up in a village named Lyme, Connecticut. It is also called Borreliosis, after the name of the bacteria- Borrleia Burgdorferi sensu stricto responsible for the disease. It is an emerging infectious disease and has now become common in the northern hemisphere. In humans, it causes meningitis, Bell’s palsy (loss of muscle tone on either side of the face), mild encephalitis, which can lead to sleep disturbances or memory loss. It can also lead to bad effects on the brain and nerves.

Just as humans are affected by the bite of the tick, carrying this infection, it is also not an unusual occurrence in horses and a few other domestic animal species. When the horses are affected by lyme disease, it is called Equine Lyme disease. It primarily affects the muscles and joints of horses. The tricky part comes in the picture when there are no clear and visible symptoms of this disease in horses. Outwardly they seem fine, but then a meticulous observation of the movements of the horses can lead to identifying a lyme disease in horse. So what are the symptoms of Equine Lyme Disease? Lets find out. For those who have horse barn or an equestrian center, well, you would surely want to know about it.

Equine Lyme Disease Symptoms

Equine lyme disease is tough to diagnose as there are no overt indicators of the disease. A close scrutiny of the horses can lead to the knowledge that the horses have been hit by equine lime disease. The first and foremost symptom of lyme disease in horse is stiffness and soreness of joints and muscles. Sprains can also be symptoms of lyme disease, but then, sprain is very generic an occurrence and as such you cannot be sure that it is a lyme disease. Lameness can be a symptom of equine lyme disease. In a few cases, swelling of inner tissues in the hoof wall, called Laminitis has been linked with this disease. The behavior of the horses may alter during this disease, though the behavioral changes have not yet been classified or categorized. But horse owners have been said to have observed unwillingness to work and an increased irritability, along with alteration in the attitude.

Diagnosis of Equine Lyme Disease

Normally the diagnosis of lyme disease in horse is based on history of tick exposure, Clinical examination eliminating all other diagnoses other than lyme disease, blood test indicating the lyme disease and positive response to medication. Blood tests for antibodies is the most used and credible method for detecting lyme disease. Because, if the diagnosis is made as equine lyme disease just on the account of lameness and soreness along with stiffness of muscles, it can be anything. It is especially in the case of horses who are involved in athletic activities like racing and other competitive equestrian sports.

Prevention of Equine Lyme Disease

The most elementary way to prevent lyme disease in domestic animals is to keep the grass short and implement some sort of tick control mechanism. A daily grooming and cleaning of the pets to keep them free of ticks is extremely important and more so in the warm weather when the ticks are ticking- I mean they are very active.

So, do not let the ticks tick in your stable or equestrian center, and take care of your horses from equine lyme disease.