What diseases do cats get from ticks? - briefly
Cats can acquire several tick‑borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Clinical manifestations may include fever, lethargy, anemia, joint pain, or skin lesions, making swift veterinary diagnosis and treatment critical.
What diseases do cats get from ticks? - in detail
Tick‑borne illnesses affect felines worldwide, especially in regions where ixodid ticks thrive. The most common pathogens transmitted to cats include:
- Bartonella henselae – Causes cat‑scratch disease; may also produce fever, lethargy, and lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis relies on serology or PCR; doxycycline or azithromycin are standard treatments.
- Hemoplasmas (Mycoplasma haemofelis, “Candidatus” Mycoplasma haemominutum) – Lead to hemolytic anemia, pallor, and weight loss. Blood smear examination, PCR, or quantitative PCR confirm infection; tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones are effective.
- Ehrlichia spp. (E. canis, E. chaffeensis) – Produce fever, thrombocytopenia, and splenomegaly. Serologic testing and PCR identify the agent; doxycycline for 2–4 weeks resolves most cases.
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum – Results in fever, joint pain, and neutropenia. PCR or indirect immunofluorescence assay confirms infection; doxycycline is the drug of choice.
- Rickettsia spp. (R. rickettsii, R. conorii) – Cause spotted fever‐like illness with fever, cutaneous lesions, and neurologic signs. Diagnosis by serology or PCR; doxycycline treats effectively.
- Babesia felis – Protozoan causing intravascular hemolysis, icterus, and severe anemia. Blood smear detection, PCR, or serology confirm; combination therapy with imidocarb and atovaquone‑azithromycin is recommended.
- Cytauxzoon felis – Aggressive protozoal infection leading to fever, icterus, and rapid death if untreated. Diagnosis by blood smear or PCR; antiprotozoal drugs such as atovaquone plus azithromycin improve survival.
Secondary concerns include tick‑borne encephalitis viruses and filarial worms, though their incidence in cats is lower. Clinical presentation varies with pathogen load, host immunity, and co‑infections. Laboratory confirmation is essential before initiating antimicrobial therapy, as misuse of antibiotics can mask disease or promote resistance.
Prevention hinges on regular ectoparasite control: topical spot‑on products, collars containing permethrin‑free actives, oral isoxazoline agents, and environmental management to reduce tick habitats. Monthly application maintains efficacy; removal of attached ticks with fine forceps, avoiding crushing the body, limits pathogen transmission. Vaccination options are limited; therefore, integrated pest management remains the principal strategy to protect felines from tick‑associated diseases.