Judicious use of environmental insecticides to kill ticks may be necessary in some areas. Symptoms can include fever, lameness and soreness, listlessness, loss of appetite, swollen glands and joints. Heart, kidney, liver, eye and nervous system problems are also described in animals. Laminitis is reported in horses and cows, as are poor fertility, abortions and chronic weight loss. Temperament changes have been reported in dogs and horses.
Untreated animals can develop chronic progressive arthritis.
Symptoms can be intermittent and vary in intensity from mild to quite severe and can mimic many other conditions. If you suspect Lyme disease in your animals consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. They can also be found between the toes, on or in the ears, and in the armpit and groin areas. Because the ticks are so small, you must look very carefully. In animals the symptoms of illness may not develop for several weeks or months following tick bite.