What Is Lyme Disease In Cats
Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterial spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Ticks do not cause Lyme disease, but they are a means to transport the bacteria. Ticks that transmit Lyme disease, mostly from the genus Ixodes , acquire the disease as they feed off wildlife like deer, rabbits, and rodents. Lyme disease is common in many areas in North America, infecting up to half of the ticks in some areas. Lyme disease affects many mammals, including humans, dogs, and rarely cats.
Ticks infected with the Borrelia bacteria bite a cat and spread the parasite through their saliva. Once the tick is attached, it takes 24 to 48 hours for Borrelia to start transmitting through the saliva. In the rare case of cats having clinical signs of Lyme, it is similar to the disease in dogs and may be noticeable two to five months after a tick bite. However, most cats do not show any symptoms.
Borrelia species are highly specialized at invading the hosts immune system, and animals can have difficulty clearing the bacteria. Borrelia hides in the skin, joints, connective tissue, and nervous system.
How Is Lyme Disease Diagnosed
A healthcare provider will diagnose Lyme disease based on symptoms, physical findings and whether or not you’ve been in an area populated by infected ticks.
Many people dont remember or know that theyve been bitten by a tick. This is because the tick is tiny, and its bite is usually painless.
Your provider will confirm the diagnosis using a blood test. If your first blood test is negative for Lyme disease, you won’t need another test. If the first test is positive or equivocal, your provider will conduct the test again. You have to have two positive results to be diagnosed with Lyme disease.
What Does The Liver Do In Dogs
The liver is an important organ that is responsible for the regulation of many different substances and chemicals within the blood, as well as bile production.
The liver helps to break down components in the blood to make it easier for the rest of the body to use, as well as filter out any foreign substances.
Just a few of the many specific roles that the liver performs include:
- The production of bile, which is responsible for breaking down fats during digestion
- The production of multiple proteins that circulate within the blood
- Converting excess glucose into starch, and storing it for later use when it is needed
- The storage of blood that can be used in serious injuries or circumstances involving blood loss
- The conversion of ammonia to urea, which is a safer product
- Producing some immune factors and helping to fight off infections
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Chronic Lyme Disease Vs Acute And Late Stage Lyme
One reason chronic Lyme disease is harder to detect and treat than Lyme at earlier stages is that chronic Lyme disease symptoms are more wide-ranging and varied. Chronic Lyme disease can cause symptoms of early Lyme disease such as fatigue and muscle aches to recur, but it can also cause new symptoms that affect different parts of the body.
Symptoms Of Lyme Disease In Dogs
Your dog has just been diagnosed with Lyme disease, and you begin to panic. Although you know this condition is by no means a death sentence, you are still concerned about his health and want to make sure you do everything in your power to give him a fast recovery.
As you begin your research, you start to wonder, Is Lyme disease in dogs contagious? Its a known fact that Lyme disease can also affect humans however, that doesnt mean you will contract the same condition as well.
The best thing you can do as a dog owner is to educate yourself on everything you need to know about this particular disease. Once you can identify the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease in your dog, you will be able to start the treatment process as soon as possible, increasing their chances of a full recovery.
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How Is Lyme Disease Treated
Antibiotics, usually doxycycline or amoxicillin, are effective treatments for Lyme disease. How long your treatment lasts depends on the stage of infection. In general, its true that the sooner youre treated, the quicker and more complete the recovery.
Pregnant people should receive treatment for Lyme disease as well. There is, however, no evidence that a fetus can get the infection from its parent. Theres also no strong evidence that miscarriages are more likely after Lyme disease.
What should I do if a tick bites me?
If a tick bites you, the best way to remove it is by taking the following steps:
- Tug gently but firmly with blunt tweezers near the “head” of the tick at the level of your skin until it releases its hold on your skin.
- Avoid crushing the tick’s body or handling the tick with bare fingers because you could expose yourself to the bacteria in the tick.
- Wash the bite area thoroughly with soap and water.
- Don’t use kerosene, petroleum jelly or hot cigarette butts to remove the tick.
- Don’t squeeze the tick’s body with your fingers or tweezers.
How Can Lyme Disease Last For Years
Category: Health Published: October 9, 2015
If treated, Lyme disease does not last for years. However, for some people, the after-effects of the disease can linger for months and sometimes even years. Alternative medicine providers call this condition Chronic Lyme disease, but this title is simply wrong. For a person who has been infected with Lyme disease and then treated, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease is measurably no longer present in his body, even though he may still feel some symptoms. The correct title for this condition is therefore Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.
Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacteria known as Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria is delivered to humans through tick bites. From the bite site, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. Usually, but not always, an infectious tick bite causes a characteristic red rash at the site of the bite. Other symptoms include fever, muscle soreness, headache, fatigue, and dizziness. In a few cases, symptoms can also include mood swings, memory loss, and sleep disturbance. If left untreated for too long, Lyme disease can lead to nerve damage, thereby causing shooting pain, numbness, and even paralysis.
The CDC states,
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Chronic Lyme Disease Vs Ptlds
The terms chronic Lyme disease and Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome are sometimes used interchangeably. However, PTLDS is slightly more restrictive, referring to patients who have received treatment for Lyme disease but go on to experience Lyme disease symptoms. It does not include those who received a misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis and have developed chronic symptoms of Lyme disease before receiving any kind of treatment.
The CDC defines PTLDS as generalized and/or recurring pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties that last for more than 6 months after treatment. These mirror symptoms associated with chronic Lyme disease, with or without treatment.
Doctors Recognize Lyme Disease In A Patient With Kidney Disease
Kidney disease induced by Borrelia burgdorferi has been commonly reported in dogs but in the literature there are only a few cases of Lyme disease-associated renal damage in humans. In the February 2017 issue of BMC Nephrology, Florens and colleagues discuss the unique case of minimal change disease associated with chronic Lyme borreliosis that resolved completely after treatment with ceftriaxone and corticosteroids.
The article, Chronic Lyme borreliosis associated with minimal change glomerular disease: a case report, cites four published papers describing kidney damage in Lyme disease patients. The papers consisted of 4 cases of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis , a case of crescentic and IgA-deposit nephropathy, and a case of membranous nephropathy.
In another case, the authors describe a 65-year-old Caucasian woman admitted for an acute edematous syndrome related to a nephrotic syndrome. She had a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure of 163/89 mmHg. Laboratory data showed hypoalbuminemia , severe proteinuria and a recent decrease of renal function . Renal biopsy showed minimal change glomerular disease .
This patient is the first case of minimal change glomerular disease associated with chronic Lyme borreliosis, according to Florens from Edouard Herriot Hospital, Lyon, France. The patients nephrotic syndrome and MCD resolved with a combination of intravenous ceftriaxone and the steroid prednisolone.
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The Damage Lyme Disease Can Do
Lyme disease can damage all of the bodys systems. Specifically, the illness can wreak havoc on:
- The heart and circulatory system
- The central nervous system
- Gastrointestinal system
So, can Lyme disease cause damage to the renal system? Yes. Lets get to the bottom of how that occurs, and what can happen if it does.
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Antioxidant Diet For Lyme Disease
The Lyme Diet strengthens the immune system rather than weakens it. Two substances to exclude from the diet are sugar and gluten. They are known to cause inflammation, something you are trying to eliminate.
Every persons Lyme diet will be different, however, because there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Some people may be able to tolerate foods others cannot. It may take some trial and error to figure out which foods make you feel better or worse. Tips for creating a Lyme diet protocol include a focus on hydration. Drinking a lot of water can reduce inflammation and flush toxins.
Although it is called a Lyme diet, try not to think of it as a diet, but more as a lifestyle. Everything you consume should provide some form of nourishment to the body. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great source of nutrients. Also, think about using nutritional supplements as part of your diet.
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Is There Treatment For Renal Damage Caused By Lyme Disease
As mentioned above, the only treatment available for Lyme disease is antibiotics. Following this, lingering symptoms need to be treated separately and specifically for their severity. If kidney disease does develop because of Lyme disease infection, it will need to be treated separately but in conjunction with other symptoms and chronic ailments.
To control the symptoms and slow further damage to the kidneys, doctors may prescribe medications for:
- High blood pressure
- A low-protein diet
These medications all play a critical role in the restoration of the renal system, but each one will be specific to a patients needs and their level of kidney damage. In the worst cases, kidney disease can progress to a dangerous level. This is called end-stage kidney disease. In this case, treatment will come in the form of dialysis or a kidney transplant. These more serious treatments are done only in the worst cases to avoid complete kidney failure.
Image by on Pixabay: Can Lyme disease cause urinary retention? Yes, and it could lead to serious kidney disease if left untreated.
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Do All Ticks Transmit Lyme Disease
No. In the northeastern and north-central U.S., the black-legged tick carries Lyme disease. In the Pacific coastal U.S., the western black-legged tick spreads the disease.
Other major tick species in the U.S., like the lone star tick and the dog tick, do NOT transmit the Lyme disease bacterium. But beware: All 50 states have reported Lyme disease, as well as Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America.
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How To Spot And Remove Ticks
Once youve come in from outside, one of the best ways to check yourself for ticks is to take a shower and bath.
Other than that, do your best to check your clothes, especially the folds of your clothes, knowing that ticks can be very small and hard to spot. Running your hands through your hair is also a good idea.
What Is Shingles What Is Its Connection With Lyme Disease
Shingles is a viral disease characterized by a painful rash mainly on the torso and sometimes on the face. It usually occurs in patients with weakened immune system and is typically seen in elderly populations. Shingles disease affects the patient at the nerve level in that the virus called Varicella Zoster virus affects the nerves while also causing a painful rash on the body. Almost all patients who have suffered from chicken pox in their childhood have the dormant Varicella Zoster virus inside them. As a result, when they become sick or develop a weaker immunity, they tend to suffer from Shingles in adulthood.
Lyme disease on the other hand, is basically caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. These microorganisms are present in many animals including deer, pheasants, rodents etc. If a deer tick bites you, you are likely to develop Lyme disease based on your overall health condition and also on the time period for which the tick remains attached to your body. The main symptoms of Lyme disease are bulls eye rashes along with fever, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, fatigue, sudden memory loss, lack of appetite, inability to concentrate etc.
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About Herxheimer Reactions In Lyme
A die-off reaction, also called a Herxheimer reaction, can occur when treating the Lyme germ, some co-infections, and yeast. It occurs as bacteria or yeast die during antibiotic treatment. It is common to have Herxheimer die-off reactions when starting herbal antimicrobials or antibiotics when treating Lyme. These reactions can also occur when new antibiotics are introduced into a treatment.
Liver Disease And Covid
When looking at potential risks related to COVID-19 with liver disease, you want to consider your risk of exposure to the virus, susceptibility , and the risk of developing serious illness if infected with COVID-19.
Its not known exactly whether people living with liver disease are more likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to the COVID-19 illness, than the general population. It likely depends on the particular liver disease, the amount of time in public needed for visits, scans, and picking up prescriptions, and whether hospitalization may be required.
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Being diagnosed with Lyme disease often requires massive lifestyle changes. So the big question right now is should you drink with Lyme disease?
Being diagnosed with Lyme disease is no walk in the park. Its much more complicated than taking a course of antibiotics for 10 days, and often requires entire lifestyle changes for those affected. I know, because I have been fighting Lyme for the past two years. I have given up many unhealthy foods such as gluten, sugar, and legumes excessive exercise, and even alcohol so that my body can heal from this pathogen. Thats right I dont drink with Lyme disease.
Now, I havent always been avoiding alcohol. If were being honest, I used to be quite fond of my glass of wine several nights a week. Its how I would unwind from the crazy day of being the walking monkey bars for my 2 boys under 3.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Renal Problems Caused By Lyme Disease
When Lyme disease causes glomerular disease in patients, the symptoms can be serious and debilitating. They include:
- Edema in the face, hands, feet, and other parts of the body
- Muscle and tissue loss caused by low amounts of protein in the blood
- Kidney disease leading to tiredness, insomnia, weight loss, itchy skin
- Blood in the urine
These signs and symptoms need to be addressed immediately as they can lead to permanent damage to kidney function, which can cause seizures, coma, or in the worst cases, death.
Other symptoms to look out for if you suspect the development of chronic kidney disease include:
- Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss
- Chronic fatigue and widespread weakness
What Is Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. B. burgdorferi is transmitted to humans by a bite from an infected black-legged or deer tick. The tick becomes infected after feeding on infected deer, birds, or mice.
A tick has to be present on the skin for at least 36 hours to transmit the infection. Many people with Lyme disease have no memory of a tick bite.
Lyme disease was first recognized in the town of Old Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975. Its the most common tickborne illness in Europe and the United States.
People who live or spend time in wooded areas known for transmission of the disease are more likely to get this illness. People with domesticated animals that visit wooded areas also have a higher risk of getting Lyme disease.
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Early Detection Is Key
Lyme disease is easiest to treat at the early or acute stage, within the first 30 days of exposure. This is why its so important to take precautions to prevent tick bites, both during and outside of tick season. Protect yourself when near potential tick habitats, always perform tick checks after outdoor activity , and dont delay seeking medical attention if you notice any symptoms that might be related to tick-borne illness. Its important to get tested as soon as possible for the best chances of recovery.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
This bacterial infection hits fewer than 3,000 people a year and if itâs not found early, it can cause serious illness and long-term health problems. Symptoms usually show up 2 days to 2 weeks after a tick bite. It causes fever, headaches, vomiting, stomach pain, red eyes, and sore muscles. Most people also get a red splotchy rash that starts on their ankles or wrists. It usually shows up several days after other symptoms.
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