What does a tick transmit to cats? - briefly
Ticks transmit several feline pathogens, most notably Cytauxzoon felis, Bartonella henselae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia spp., and Babesia species. They may also carry Rickettsia and other bacterial agents.
What does a tick transmit to cats? - in detail
Ticks are vectors of several infectious agents that affect felines. The most common pathogens transmitted by ixodid ticks to domestic cats include:
- Bartonella henselae – the causative organism of cat‑scratch disease; transmitted primarily by the cat flea but also by the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Infection can lead to fever, lymphadenopathy, and ocular lesions.
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum – agent of feline granulocytic anaplasmosis; causes lethargy, fever, thrombocytopenia, and occasionally neurologic signs. The black‑legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and related species are primary carriers.
- Ehrlichia spp. – especially Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia chaffeensis; produce ehrlichiosis with symptoms such as fever, weight loss, and anemia. Transmission occurs via the brown dog tick and the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum).
- Cytauxzoon felis – a protozoan parasite responsible for cytauxzoonosis, a rapidly fatal disease characterized by high fever, hemolytic anemia, and organ failure. The lone star tick is the main vector.
- Babesia felis – a piroplasm causing babesiosis; clinical picture includes fever, hemolytic anemia, and icterus. Transmission documented from the Asian long‑horned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) and other ixodid species.
- Rickettsia spp. – including Rickettsia felis, which produces flea‑borne spotted fever but can also be transmitted by ticks, leading to fever, rash, and conjunctivitis.
Secondary agents occasionally reported in cats after tick exposure are:
- Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) – rare in felines, may cause lameness, joint swelling, and renal complications.
- Theileria spp. – exotic parasites with limited documentation in cats; potential for severe hemolytic disease.
Clinical consequences of tick‑borne infections range from mild, self‑limiting febrile illnesses to life‑threatening systemic disorders. Diagnosis relies on serologic testing, PCR assays, and blood smear examination. Prompt antimicrobial or antiparasitic therapy, guided by the identified pathogen, improves prognosis. Preventive measures—regular tick checks, topical acaricides, and environmental control—remain the most effective strategy to reduce exposure of cats to these vector‑borne diseases.