Lyme disease in cats – signs and vet treatment
Book a vet visitBook a vet appointment if you think your cat has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacteria called Borrelia.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet
- Keep fresh water available
- Let your cat rest somewhere calm
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine
- Do not wait if it gets worse
What it is
Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacteria called Borrelia and can be transmitted through tick bites.[1] If your cat shows signs of Lyme disease, book a vet appointment promptly, especially if you have recently found a tick on them.[1]
Signs
Causes and risk factors
How a vet finds out
- A vet considers your cat’s symptoms
- A vet considers your cat’s history of tick exposure
- A vet may run a blood test
How vets treat it
- Antibiotics
- Anti-inflammatories
- Pain relief
- Hospitalisation
- Medication
What the experts say
“Most cases of Lyme disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics and improvements are usually seen within 24-48hours of starting them. The course is usually several weeks long, and should always be finished to make sure all bacteria are killed.”
Not sure how serious it is?
OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.
OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.
Common questions
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacteria called Borrelia.[1]
What signs can Lyme disease cause in cats?
Signs can include limping and swollen joints, fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, reduced appetite, nerve problems, and drinking and weeing more.[1]
How will a vet diagnose Lyme disease?
A vet will consider your cat’s symptoms and history of tick exposure, and may run a blood test.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
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