Equine Lyme Disease Symptoms

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 it. The condition is called Lyme disease and is called so 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 it. 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 this 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 condition in horses. Outwardly they seem fine, but then a meticulous observation of the movements of the horses can lead to identifying the condition in the horse. So what are the symptoms of this disease? Let's find out.

Symptoms
This disease is tough to diagnose as there are no overt indicators. A close scrutiny of the horses can lead to the knowledge that the horses have been hit by it. The first and foremost symptom is stiffness and soreness of joints and muscles. Sprains can also be observed, but then, sprain is very generic an occurrence and as such you cannot be sure about the disease. Lameness can be a symptom. In a few cases, swelling of inner tissues in the hoof wall, called Laminitis has been linked with it. 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
Normally the diagnosis of lyme disease in horse is based on history of tick exposure, clinical examination eliminating all other diagnoses, blood test and positive response to medication. Blood tests for antibodies is the most used and credible method for detecting this condition. Because, if the diagnosis is made 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
The most elementary way to prevent it 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 this disease.