LYME, TICK BORNE DISEASES

LYME DISEASE

Background: An infection acquired from a tick bite containing a spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi). It can be an acute infection, but often becomes chronic as the clinical signs are non-specific. Other tick borne diseases usually respond to the same immune supporting formulas.
Symptoms: Non-specific or wandering lameness, irritability, fatigue, lack of interest in work, perhaps a stubbornness, or perceived stubbornness, or a dullness. Internal organs such as the kidney and heart are seldom apparently affected, however neurologic signs and liver symptoms may be present.
Diagnostics: Blood tests, a thorough history and physical examination. The Lyme titer is not always confirmatory and the longer the horse is sick, the more immunosuppressed they are and less diagnostic the test seems to be. The quick SNAP test may be unreliable, especially in the later stages of the disease.
Special Notes: These horses seem to relapse easily with any stress, such as vaccination, moving, showing or other significant change.
Principles for Supplementation: Support the immune system, kill or suppress the spirochete, restore intestinal tract function after long courses of antibiotics. See the section on arthritis for long term joint support.

EQUINE PRODUCTS—LYME DISEASE