How do cats become ill after a tick bite? - briefly
A tick can inject pathogens such as Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, or Rickettsia into a cat’s bloodstream, leading to fever, lethargy, anemia, or neurological disturbances. The tick’s saliva may also trigger an allergic or inflammatory response that worsens the cat’s condition.
How do cats become ill after a tick bite? - in detail
When a tick attaches to a cat’s skin, it inserts its mouthparts and begins to ingest blood. During feeding, the parasite injects saliva that contains a variety of microorganisms and toxins. These agents enter the bloodstream and can provoke systemic illness.
Pathogens most frequently transmitted by ticks in felines include:
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum – causes fever, lethargy, and joint pain; laboratory tests reveal neutropenia.
- Ehrlichia spp. – produces anemia, weight loss, and intermittent fever; often associated with thrombocytopenia.
- Babesia felis – leads to hemolytic anemia, icterus, and hemoglobinuria.
- Cytauxzoon felis – results in rapid onset of fever, severe anemia, and high mortality if untreated.
- Rickettsia spp. – generate skin lesions, fever, and vasculitis.
- Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) – may cause lameness, kidney dysfunction, and chronic fatigue.
In addition to infectious agents, tick saliva contains neurotoxins that can provoke a temporary paralysis of the facial and limb muscles. This condition, known as tick‑induced paralysis, typically resolves after the removal of the arthropod but may require supportive care if respiratory muscles are affected.
Allergic reactions to tick saliva are also possible. Cats may develop localized swelling, erythema, or pruritus at the bite site. Secondary bacterial infection can follow, especially if the wound is scratched or not promptly cleaned.
The clinical course generally follows these steps:
- Attachment and feeding – ticks remain attached for several days, increasing the likelihood of pathogen transfer.
- Pathogen inoculation – saliva introduces bacteria, protozoa, or viruses directly into the cat’s circulatory system.
- Incubation period – symptoms appear from a few days to several weeks, depending on the organism.
- Systemic manifestation – fever, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, anemia, thrombocytopenia, or neurological deficits become evident.
- Diagnosis – blood smear, PCR, serology, or PCR of tick material confirm the specific agent.
- Treatment – antimicrobial therapy (doxycycline for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia, azithromycin for Cytauxzoon), antiprotozoal drugs (imidocarb for Babesia), supportive fluids, and, when necessary, blood transfusions.
Preventive measures focus on regular inspection of the coat, use of veterinarian‑approved tick preventatives, and prompt removal of attached ticks with fine‑pointed tweezers, avoiding crushing the body to prevent saliva leakage. Early detection and treatment significantly improve prognosis for tick‑borne diseases in cats.