Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pony with arthritis and eye inflammation from Lyme disease
By Burgess, E C et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1986·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Arthritis and panuveitis as manifestations of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in a Wisconsin pony.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A pony in Wisconsin developed eye problems and painful joints due to an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The pony showed signs of panuveitis (inflammation of the eye) and arthritis, with severe damage in the joints. Tests confirmed the presence of the bacteria, and the pony was found to have high levels of antibodies against it. This case highlights that Borrelia burgdorferi can cause serious health issues in horses, similar to what is seen in humans.
People also search for: pony eye problems · pony arthritis treatment · Borrelia burgdorferi infection in horses
Abstract
Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi caused panuveitis and arthritis in a pony. Spirochetes were detected by direct immunofluorescence in the anterior chamber of the eye. The carpal joints had severe degenerative joint disease, with synovial proliferation. The synovium and serum had B burgdorferi antibody titers of 1:1024. The pony lived in an area of Wisconsin where infection with B burgdorferi is endemic in human beings. Previously, serum antibodies to B burgdorferi had been found in horses, but disease had not been reported.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3793582/