What does a tick look like in a cat's ears? - briefly
A tick appears as a small, flat, dark brown or gray disc, often about the size of a pea, attached to the inner surface of the ear canal or the ear flap. It may be partially engorged with blood, giving it a slightly raised, glossy appearance.
What does a tick look like in a cat's ears? - in detail
A tick lodged in a cat’s ear canal appears as a small, oval parasite that can be difficult to see without close inspection. The unfed stage measures 2–5 mm in length, is reddish‑brown, and has a smooth, dome‑shaped back (the scutum). The front end (the capitulum) contains the mouthparts and is typically lighter in color, sometimes appearing pale or translucent. When engorged, the tick expands to 8–12 mm, becomes markedly swollen, and takes on a gray‑blue or dark brown hue; the body may look semi‑transparent as the blood meal fills the abdomen.
Key visual traits include:
- Size progression: tiny (2–5 mm) when unfed, enlarges to 8–12 mm after feeding.
- Color shift: reddish‑brown to gray‑blue or dark brown when engorged.
- Body outline: oval, slightly flattened dorsally; the back is hard and shield‑like, the front is softer and houses the feeding apparatus.
- Movement: limited; an engorged tick may appear motionless, while an unfed one can crawl slowly along the ear canal walls.
- Location cues: often positioned near the base of the ear flap or deep within the hollow, where warmth and humidity facilitate attachment.
Common species on cats, such as Ixodes scapularis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus, share these characteristics but may differ slightly in coloration patterns—Ixodes ticks tend toward a darker, almost black appearance, whereas Rhipicephalus specimens are typically lighter brown.
Recognition relies on close visual examination, preferably with a magnifying lens and adequate lighting. Any tick observed in the ear should be removed promptly to prevent disease transmission and tissue irritation.