Introduction
Borreliaburgdorferi can cause Equine Lyme Disease, which is a bacterial infection that can infect horses. The tick bite can spread the disease. Lyme disease can be a serious condition in horses. It causes stiffness, joint pain, fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, and stiffness. The disease can cause long-term health problems if it is not treated properly. There are steps horse owners can take in order to treat and prevent equine Lyme.
Diagnosis
Lyme disease is a disease that affects horses. This first step in Lyme treatment involves determining if a horse has it. The combination of history, physical examination, and laboratory tests is used to diagnose Lyme disease in horses. A physical exam should check for swelling, fever, lameness, or other signs of infection. A complete blood count, serum chemistry and antibody test can be performed by laboratory tests.
Treatment
Antibiotics are often used to treat equine Lyme disease. Tetracycline and Doxycycline are the most common antibiotics. The treatment should last for 4-6 weeks. It should continue until the horse is symptom-free for at most two weeks. Sometimes, additional antibiotics may need to be used in order to treat chronic infections.
Prevention
To prevent horse Lyme disease, it is important to minimize the chance of your horse being bitten. Avoid areas where ticks can thrive, such as high grass or wooded areas. You should also use a tick control product and inspect your horse for ticks.
Vaccination
Another way to prevent horse Lyme disease is vaccination. There are vaccines that can reduce the chance of horses contracting Borreliaburgdorferi. Vaccines should be administered annually in two doses.
FAQs
How can I tell if my horse has Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease testing is the best way to find out if your horse has it. It will include a combination physical exam and laboratory testing.
Can Lyme disease can be prevented?
There are steps you can take to prevent equine Lyme Disease. You can avoid areas where ticks are common, use effective tick control products, and vaccinate your horse.