Veterinarians are cautioning horse owners to look out for disease-carrying ticks.after a trio of horses from the Hanmer/Capreol area in Ontario, Canada, tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent in Lyme disease.
Deer tick - Carrier of Borrelia burgdorferi - Lyme disease
Ontario has experienced an increase in deer ticks -- also called black-legged ticks -- and a related spike in human cases of Lyme disease over the last decade.
"Testing was requested by the owner after the family dog was recently diagnosed with Lyme disease," writes Espanola veterinarian P.J. Rocheleau in a notice posted on the Espanola Animal Hospital Facebook page. "All three horses were strongly positive for the antigen, and some are believed to have shown some signs of the disease."
Lyme disease is communicated by deer ticks -- tiny parasitic bugs, not much bigger than a freckle -- that stay attached to a host for a day or longer. According to Rocheleau, the disease primarily affects humans, but can also afflict animals that get bitten by the parasites.
"Signs in dogs and horses are non-specific and include hay fever, lethargy, stiffness, muscular pain and swollen, painful joints," he writes. Lyme disease in humans can have serious, lingering consequences if not caught and treated early.
Ontario has experienced an increase in deer ticks -- also called black-legged ticks -- and a related spike in human cases of Lyme disease over the last decade, according to a message from the province's chief medical officer of health.
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Given the threat Lyme disease poses to people, Rocheleau is urging anyone who lives in horse country outside Sudbury to "be aware of its presence, especially those who are active outdoors and have children. In humans this disease is much easier to acquire after exposure and can be much more severe."
If a tick is found on a pet or horse, Rocheleau recommends contacting a vet. "Do not attempt to remove the tick(s) by yourself without speaking to your veterinarian, as most of the methods frequently attempted by laypersons can vastly increase the chances of exposure to the disease."
People who find a tick embedded in their skin should pull it straight out with fine-tipped tweezers, the health unit advises. "Do not squeeze the tick," the unit warns. "Try to keep the tick alive. Place it in a sealed jar or screw-top bottle, and take it to the health unit."
People can reduce the chance of a tick encounter by staying covered up with long sleeves, pants and closed-toe shoes, as well as by applying insect repellant that targets ticks.
Household pets can also be protected through products available from veterinarians.
Unfortunately, protecting a horse from an infective tick isn't so straightforward. "We do not have any information at this time regarding prevention strategies for horses, but will be working closely with the specialists at Ontario Veterinary College with regard to the issue and will post information as soon as it becomes available," writes Rocheleau.
The most obvious symptom in humans of a Lyme infection is a bull's-eye rash that appears at the site of the tick bite. If detected early, the disease is easily treated with antibiotics.