This began as a running list on the Notes App in my phone. I suggest you keep a similar one as well, if you live in a Lyme disease endemic area like the northeastern United States and have animals who have experience Lyme.
Every animal has different symptoms and they can often be very subtle. I keep a list for Dolly and for my dog, Oskar. In addition, I have the vet pull bloodwork in the Spring and Fall to keep an eye on any Lyme changes that might indicate a recent change in infection and antibody levels.

If Dolly starts showing more than three or four of these signs regularly and has a startling change in behavior, I know it's time to check for Lyme. Sometimes her symptoms can be treated with homeopathy, acupuncture, herbs, supplements etc. but Lyme is a disease where I do believe medication such as Doxycycline or Minocycline can be incredibly beneficial. Combining traditional with holistic therapies has helped my animals and myself overcome what is an unfortunately common and life-disrupting occurrence here in upstate New York.
One thing I've noticed in animals with Lyme is a general edginess and lack of desire to do things that were previously part of the routine with no issues. Dolly is a calm, sensible, older mare with low-energy, but gets very spooky and agitated with Lyme.
When she was first diagnosed almost six years ago, I couldn't find much information about this type of manifestation. It seemed most online or anecdotal reports were in relation to riding horses in work becoming lethargic, and experiencing joint paint, inflammation, loss of desire. It's almost like this disease can flip a switch that alters their behavior drastically. From my personal experience with Lyme, it can be scary and painful, so please keep this in mind and share lots of love, understanding and patience with your animal friend during this time of healing.
Dolly's Lyme Symptoms:
Inability to stand still (ground tied, cross tied or standing free for grooming).
Extra energy. Quick walking that does not often slow or calm down, especially after spook/fear outside of arena or when cantering. Walking on top of me, over me, not paying any attention to her feet in relation to mine.
Spooking at things that normally don’t bother her, particularly sounds and colors, shiny objects ; not “seeing” obvious things on a trail walk. Dolly is not a spooky horse by nature so this is a major change for her.
Scared, up, distracted once she leaves eyeshot/earshot of friends. Can include loud "Zebra snorting." It's a mean snorting sound that I've only heard on while on a Kenyan safari, similar to defensive donkey snorting.
Rearing, after a mild spook or when doing simple work like groundwork on a circle. Rearing with head tossing.
Delayed reaction to spooking. Ie. Will see an object then a minute later freak out about it.
Very protective of hind end. Moving away from touch or brushing, or becoming nervous when asked to step hind legs away from pressure.
Neck raised and tense, especially under neck.
Unexplained Soreness in shoulders, chest, along back.
Unfocused on human, very hard to attain her focus and keep it, especially if something is scaring/bothering her. Dolly's typical reaction is to look at something, stop momentarily if she needs to process, then continue grazing, walking, etc. I breathe slowly, acknowledge the (scary) thing and that's usually the end of it. But with Lyme, once Dolly becomes agitated, the spooking, running over me, snorting behavior will go on for minutes and I've found it near impossible to calm her. In these situations, I've found the best course of action is to get her closer to her friends, paddock, barn. Very different than a standard fear reaction that passes.
Inability to fully relax, especially after an episode above. The things she loves like sharing energy, hand grazing, trail walks, PEMF blanket are not enjoyable. It's like her nervous system cannot calm down and rest (I had very similar experience with my Lyme).
Note: Her symptoms are not consistent day to day. Ie. Tuesday she is spooky, up, unfocused, Weds, Thursday, Friday, Fine. Saturday rears and runs in circles around after walking 50 ft away from paddock. Sunday cannot process seeing the cows that have been in the field for months which never previously provoked a reaction. Monday, seems "alright" if touchy in the hind end. This is how it starts and then quickly progresses to an onslaught of the symptoms above with frequency.

This list is meant for informational purposes only and, as always, work with your trusted veterinarian and care providers, who can help, diagnose, and treat your animal friend.
Helpful Links:
Information and Homeopathic treatment:
Hilton Herbs Tic X First Response and Aftercare
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