What happens with a tick after it bites a cat? - briefly
After attaching to a cat, the tick expands its body by ingesting blood and then drops off the host as it becomes engorged. The detached tick either molts to the next developmental stage or dies if it fails to locate another suitable host.
What happens with a tick after it bites a cat? - in detail
A tick attaches to the cat’s skin by inserting its hypostome, a barbed feeding tube, into the epidermis and dermis. Saliva containing anticoagulants, anti‑inflammatory compounds, and potential pathogens is released to maintain blood flow.
During the feeding phase, which may last from several hours to several days, the tick expands its body with the ingested blood. The cat’s immune response can produce localized swelling, redness, and occasional pruritus. In some cases, the bite site remains inconspicuous, especially with soft‑bodied species such as Ixodes or Rhipicephalus.
Pathogen transmission can occur at any point after the tick has been securely attached. Common agents transmitted to felines include:
- Bartonella henselae – causative agent of cat‑scratch disease.
- Rickettsia spp. – responsible for spotted fever–type illnesses.
- Cytauxzoon felis – a protozoan causing severe hemolytic disease.
- Anaplasma spp. – leading to granulocytic anaplasmosis.
The risk of infection rises with longer attachment times; some pathogens require 24–48 hours of feeding before transmission.
Removal should be performed with fine‑tipped tweezers or a dedicated tick‑removal tool, grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible and pulling upward with steady, even pressure. Crushing the tick’s body must be avoided to prevent additional saliva release. After extraction, the bite area should be cleansed with antiseptic solution and examined for residual mouthparts.
Post‑removal monitoring includes daily inspection of the wound for signs of secondary infection, such as purulent discharge or expanding erythema. Systemic symptoms—fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, or neurological changes—warrant immediate veterinary assessment. Diagnostic testing may involve blood smear, PCR, or serology to identify transmitted agents.
Preventive measures encompass regular application of ectoparasitic treatments, environmental control of tick habitats, and routine grooming to detect attached ticks early.