What should be done if a cat has a subcutaneous tick? - briefly
Gently clean the area with warm water, apply a veterinary‑approved tick‑removal solution, and have a professional extract the embedded parasite. Observe the cat for redness or infection and contact a veterinarian for follow‑up treatment.
What should be done if a cat has a subcutaneous tick? - in detail
A tick that has migrated into the subdermal tissue of a cat requires prompt and careful intervention. The first step is to confirm the presence of the parasite. Visual inspection may reveal a small, raised nodule; palpation can detect a firm, moving mass beneath the skin. If the tick is not visible externally, a veterinarian should perform a thorough physical examination, possibly aided by dermoscopy or ultrasound, to locate the organism.
Once identified, removal must be performed under sterile conditions. The recommended procedure is:
- Sedation or anesthesia – ensures the cat remains still and reduces stress.
- Skin preparation – clean the area with an antiseptic solution such as chlorhexidine.
- Incision – make a small, precise cut over the nodule using a sterile scalpel.
- Extraction – gently tease out the tick with fine forceps, taking care not to rupture its body, which could release pathogens.
- Hemostasis – apply pressure or a hemostatic agent to stop any bleeding.
- Wound care – irrigate the cavity with sterile saline, then close the incision with absorbable sutures or a simple adhesive strip, depending on size.
After removal, administer a broad‑spectrum antiparasitic medication approved for felines (e.g., a spot‑on formulation containing selamectin or a systemic oral product). Conduct a complete blood count and serological tests to screen for tick‑borne diseases such as Bartonella henselae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, or Rickettsia spp. If any infection is detected, initiate the appropriate antimicrobial therapy promptly.
Monitor the cat for signs of local inflammation, swelling, or systemic illness over the next 48–72 hours. Re‑examine the site to ensure proper healing and to verify that no residual tick parts remain. Schedule a follow‑up appointment within one week to assess recovery and discuss long‑term tick prevention strategies, including regular use of veterinarian‑approved ectoparasitic controls, environmental management, and routine grooming checks.
In summary, detection, sterile surgical extraction, immediate antiparasitic treatment, diagnostic testing for vector‑borne pathogens, and diligent post‑procedural care constitute the comprehensive response to a subcutaneous tick infestation in a cat.