What can a cat's tick transmit? - briefly
Ticks feeding on cats can carry and transmit pathogens such as Bartonella henselae, Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Cytauxzoon felis, and Rickettsia spp. These agents may cause conditions from mild fever to severe hemolytic disease.
What can a cat's tick transmit? - in detail
Ticks that attach to felines can introduce a range of infectious agents. The most frequently reported pathogens include:
- Bartonella henselae – the bacterium responsible for cat‑scratch disease; transmitted through tick saliva and capable of causing fever, lymphadenopathy, and, in rare cases, endocarditis in humans.
- Ehrlichia spp. – especially E. canis and E. chaffeensis; cause ehrlichiosis with signs such as fever, lethargy, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly.
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum – agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis; produces fever, joint pain, and neutropenia.
- Rickettsia spp. – spotted‑fever group organisms; induce fever, rash, and vasculitis.
- Cytauxzoon felis – a protozoan causing cytauxzoonosis, a rapidly fatal disease marked by fever, icterus, and severe anemia.
- Babesia spp. – intra‑erythrocytic parasites leading to hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, and lethargy.
- Borrelia burgdorferi – Lyme‑disease spirochete; occasionally detected in cats, may cause lameness, fever, and kidney involvement.
- Francisella tularensis – agent of tularemia; rare but can result in ulceroglandular lesions and systemic illness.
Transmission occurs when an infected tick inserts its mouthparts and releases saliva containing the pathogen. Some agents survive across tick life stages (transstadial transmission) or are passed from adult females to offspring (transovarial transmission), extending the risk period.
Clinical manifestations in cats vary with the organism:
- Fever, anorexia, and weight loss are common early signs.
- Hematologic abnormalities (anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia) frequently accompany hemoparasite infections.
- Neurological signs (tremors, ataxia) may appear with severe Cytauxzoon or Rickettsia infections.
- Dermatologic lesions (ulcers, nodules) can result from Bartonella or Rickettsia.
Diagnosis relies on laboratory techniques:
- Blood smear examination for intra‑erythrocytic parasites.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for bacterial DNA.
- Serologic tests detecting specific antibodies (e.g., ELISA for Ehrlichia).
Therapeutic protocols differ by pathogen:
- Doxycycline (10 mg/kg PO q12h for 28 days) treats most bacterial infections, including Ehrlichia and Anaplasma.
- Imidocarb dipropionate (5 mg/kg SC) is effective against Babesia and Cytauxzoon.
- Supportive care (fluid therapy, blood transfusions) is essential for severe anemia or systemic shock.
Prevention focuses on tick control:
- Regular application of acaricidal spot‑on products (e.g., fipronil, selamectin) according to label intervals.
- Environmental management: keep grass trimmed, remove leaf litter, treat indoor areas with appropriate insecticides.
- Routine inspection after outdoor exposure; prompt removal of attached ticks with fine‑pointed tweezers, grasping close to the skin and pulling steadily.
Public health relevance:
- Several tick‑borne agents are zoonotic; owners handling infested cats should wear gloves and practice hand hygiene.
- Reducing tick burden in felines lowers the risk of transmission to humans, particularly for Bartonella and Rickettsia species.
In summary, cat ticks serve as vectors for bacterial, protozoan, and spirochetal pathogens that can cause systemic disease in felines and, in some cases, infect humans. Effective diagnosis, targeted antimicrobial therapy, and rigorous tick prevention are essential components of veterinary management.