If possible document the presence of the rash by taking a picture because it may disappear before a physician can see it. If ignored, the early symptoms may disappear, but more serious problems can develop months to years later. The later symptoms of Lyme disease can be quite severe and chronic. Muscle pain and arthritis, usually of the large joints is common. Heart, eye, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems can develop.
Symptoms are often intermittent lasting from a few days to several months and sometimes years.
Chronic Lyme disease, because of its diverse symptoms, mimics many other diseases and can be difficult to diagnose. Timely treatment increases chances of recovery and may lessen the severity of any later symptoms in both animals and man. The most effective treatment will be recommended by your physician or in the case of your animals by your veterinarian and will depend on the stage of the disease. Treatment for later stages is more difficult often requiring extended and repeated courses of antibiotic therapy. In animals and man treatment failures and relapses are reported.