What does a subcutaneous tick look like on cats? - briefly
It presents as a tiny, firm, raised nodule under the skin, typically gray‑brown and smooth, with no visible legs. The surrounding area may be hairless and the tick is often only detectable by palpation.
What does a subcutaneous tick look like on cats? - in detail
A subdermal tick embedded in a cat’s skin presents as a small, firm nodule often mistaken for a lump or cyst. The parasite is typically 2–5 mm in diameter, though engorged individuals may reach 8–10 mm. Its body is usually brown‑gray, sometimes with a lighter tip, and the outer cuticle may appear glossy. The surrounding tissue often shows a raised, slightly erythematous area; the skin over the nodule can be taut and may have a central puncture mark where the mouthparts entered.
Key visual cues include:
- Firmness: The mass feels solid rather than fluid‑filled when palpated.
- Mobility: The tick is fixed in place; the nodule does not shift under gentle pressure.
- Surface texture: The skin may feel smooth but slightly indurated, lacking the typical “flaky” appearance of superficial infestations.
- Color variation: Darker coloration may indicate a fed tick; lighter tones suggest an early stage.
- Absence of visible legs or body parts: Because the organism lies beneath the epidermis, external appendages are not seen.
Additional signs that may accompany the nodule:
- Localized swelling or edema.
- Mild to moderate warmth around the site.
- Possible secondary infection, evidenced by pus, ulceration, or increased redness.
- Behavioral changes such as scratching or grooming focused on the affected area.
Detection often requires a thorough physical exam, sometimes aided by a fine‑needle aspiration or ultrasound to differentiate the tick from other subcutaneous masses. Removal should be performed by a veterinarian using sterile instruments to extract the entire organism, including the mouthparts, to prevent ongoing inflammation or disease transmission. After extraction, monitor the site for lingering inflammation or infection and consider a short course of antibiotics if bacterial involvement is suspected.