What does a subcutaneous tick on a cat look like in a photo? - briefly
In a photograph the tick appears as a small, raised, flesh‑colored or reddish bump beneath the fur, often showing a tiny dark puncture at its center where the mouthparts are embedded. The surrounding area may exhibit slight swelling or a thin line of discoloration.
What does a subcutaneous tick on a cat look like in a photo? - in detail
A subdermal tick embedded in a cat’s skin presents as a small, raised nodule beneath the coat. The lesion is usually 2‑5 mm in diameter, sometimes larger if the engorged body expands. The surface of the bump is smooth, often covered by a thin layer of fur that may appear flattened or displaced. The skin around the nodule can be slightly reddened or pink, but inflammation is often minimal because the tick resides below the epidermis.
Key visual characteristics in a photograph:
- Shape: Oval or slightly elongated, matching the tick’s body contour.
- Color: Dark brown to black, occasionally grayish if partially engorged; the surrounding fur may show a subtle halo of lighter tone.
- Texture: Uniform, lacking the segmented exoskeleton visible on a surface‑attached tick; the outline may be blurred by the overlying hair.
- Depth cues: Slight shadow or indentation indicating the tick is beneath the skin, often visible as a shallow depression in the fur surface.
- Absence of legs: No visible legs or mouthparts, because they are concealed under the epidermis.
When the cat’s coat is trimmed or the area is gently part‑shaved for examination, the nodule becomes more apparent. In such images, the tick often appears as a distinct, dark mass embedded within the skin, with a faint outline of the surrounding tissue. If the tick is partially engorged, the mass may be more rounded and the surrounding skin slightly taut.
Veterinary imaging (e.g., dermatoscopy) can enhance visibility, revealing the tick’s outline as a well‑defined, dark silhouette against the lighter dermal tissue. In standard photographs, the combination of a raised, smooth, dark nodule with minimal surrounding inflammation is the primary indicator of a subcutaneous tick in a cat.