What can happen if a cat is bitten by a tick? - briefly
A tick attachment can transmit bacterial or protozoal pathogens such as Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, or Borrelia, causing fever, lethargy, anemia and potentially severe systemic illness. It may also provoke local skin irritation, inflammation and secondary infection at the bite site.
What can happen if a cat is bitten by a tick? - in detail
A tick attachment on a feline host can lead to several medical conditions, ranging from mild local irritation to severe systemic disease. The most common consequences include:
- Local inflammation – erythema, swelling, and pruritus at the bite site; secondary bacterial infection may develop if the skin barrier is breached.
- Anemia – blood loss from prolonged feeding can cause mild to moderate anemia, especially in young or small cats.
- Tick‑borne infections – pathogens transmitted by ticks may result in:
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection, producing fever, lethargy, and joint pain.
- Ehrlichia spp. infection, leading to fever, weight loss, and thrombocytopenia.
- Bartonella henselae exposure, associated with lymphadenopathy and occasional fever.
- Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) – rare in cats but can cause lameness, joint inflammation, and renal involvement.
- Cytauxzoon felis – severe hemolytic anemia and rapid deterioration in endemic areas.
- Neurological effects – rare tick paralysis caused by neurotoxins may produce progressive weakness, ataxia, and respiratory compromise.
- Immune‑mediated disorders – chronic exposure can trigger autoimmune hemolytic anemia or glomerulonephritis.
Clinical signs often appear days to weeks after attachment and may include fever, reduced appetite, weight loss, dehydration, pale mucous membranes, and altered behavior. Laboratory evaluation typically reveals anemia, leukopenia or leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and elevated inflammatory markers. Serologic testing, PCR, or blood smear examination confirm specific pathogens.
Prompt removal of the tick using fine‑pointed tweezers, followed by antiseptic cleaning, reduces the risk of pathogen transmission. Early veterinary intervention, including antimicrobial therapy (e.g., doxycycline for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia) and supportive care (fluid therapy, blood transfusion if needed), improves prognosis. Preventive measures—monthly ectoparasitic preventatives, regular grooming, and environmental tick control—remain the most effective strategy to avoid these health complications.