How do cats get infected by ticks? - briefly
Cats acquire ticks when they roam through grass, shrubs, or leaf litter where questing ticks attach to their fur, commonly near the head, neck, and ears. An attached tick feeds for several hours, during which any pathogens it carries can be transmitted into the cat’s bloodstream.
How do cats get infected by ticks? - in detail
Cats contract tick‑borne infections primarily through direct contact with questing ticks that are actively seeking a host. Adult ticks, nymphs, and larvae attach to the cat’s skin, usually in areas with thin fur or folds such as the neck, ears, armpits, and between the toes. Attachment is facilitated by the tick’s sensory organs detecting heat, carbon dioxide, and movement. Once attached, the tick inserts its hypostome, a barbed feeding tube, and begins to ingest blood. During this feeding period, pathogens residing in the tick’s salivary glands—such as Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia spp., and Rickettsia spp.—are transmitted into the cat’s bloodstream.
Key factors that increase exposure include:
- Outdoor access to grassy, shrub‑covered, or wooded environments where tick populations thrive.
- Seasonal activity peaks, particularly spring and early summer for many tick species.
- Lack of regular grooming or inspection, allowing ticks to remain attached for several days.
- Presence of other wildlife (deer, rodents) that serve as tick hosts and amplify pathogen reservoirs.
After attachment, the duration of feeding determines transmission likelihood. Most pathogens require at least 24–48 hours of uninterrupted feeding before being passed to the host. Consequently, early detection and removal of ticks reduce infection risk. Removal should be performed with fine‑pointed tweezers, grasping the tick close to the skin and pulling straight upward to avoid breaking the mouthparts, which could leave infected tissue behind.
Once pathogens enter the cat’s circulatory system, they disseminate to target organs. For example:
- Borrelia spirochetes migrate to joints and nervous tissue, causing lameness and neurological signs.
- Anaplasma infects neutrophils, leading to fever, lethargy, and thrombocytopenia.
- Ehrlichia targets monocytes, producing similar hematologic abnormalities.
- Rickettsia species induce vasculitis, resulting in skin lesions and edema.
Diagnosis relies on serologic tests, PCR assays, or microscopic examination of blood smears. Treatment protocols typically involve doxycycline or other tetracycline antibiotics, administered for several weeks to ensure pathogen eradication. Preventive measures include regular application of acaricidal spot‑on products, oral tick‑preventive medications, and maintaining a tidy yard by trimming grass and removing leaf litter to reduce tick habitats.
In summary, cats become infected when ticks attach to their skin, feed for sufficient time, and inoculate pathogens through saliva. Early tick removal, routine preventive treatments, and environmental management are essential to limit disease transmission.