Have you or your pet been touched by Lyme? Do you want to know more? Here, integrative veterinarian Dr. Joyce Harman tells you what you need to know about the dreaded disease.
Lyme disease is really becoming a household name, especially for those who live on the east coast. Not only are we humans effected, but so are our horses!
Lyme disease (LD) has been recognized for about 40 or 50 years. It is now the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the US and Europe, and is also found in Asia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there have been 20,000 to 30,000 confirmed human cases each year since 2002. The actual numbers are likely much higher as many cases go unreported. 96% of those cases are concentrated in about 15 states, mostly on the east coast from Virginia north. However, it can be found almost everywhere, so have your vet consider Lyme as part of any rule-out list.