Tick Parasites of Cats

 

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Though indoor cats are generally free of the risk of tick infestation, roaming cats, especially country cats are at risk for contact. Indoor cats will generally only get ticks if a family member brings them in on their clothing.

Common ticks found throughout North America include Ixodes (deer tick), Rhipicephalus (brown dog tick), Dermacentor (American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick) , and Amblyomma (lone star tick). These species of ticks are “hard ticks” that have four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Adult female ticks may engorge themselves with blood to 100 times their weight (taking in 4-5 ml of blood!) and lay thousands of eggs after detachment (up to 22,000!). Ticks live a long time (a few months to 3 years) and often hide in vegetation in the fields or forests.

In addition to local irritation, ticks can cause other diseases. With heavy tick infestation, blood loss anemia may occur. Ticks are the vector in several cat diseases, including ehrlichiosis, cytauxzoonosis, hepatozoonosis, and feline infectious anemia.

Feline ehrlichiosis is transmitted by the brown dog tick. Ehrlichia infects platelets and other cells. Loss of appetite, depression, fever, sensitivity to touch, and serious weight loss may occur.

Cytauxzoonosis, a blood parasite is uncommon but can be fatal very quickly, and is found mostly in south central United States. The Dermacentor tick is the usual vector. Signs include dullness, fever, loss of appetite and body condition, dehydration and jaundice. Sub-clinical disease exists as well—these cats look just fine. A less nasty strain of the parasite may be the reason for this variation in symptoms.

Feline infectious anemia is another blood parasite spread by ticks. This condition is caused by Mycoplasma haemofelis and Mycoplasma haemominutum, formerly called Haemobartonella felis. These organisms parasitize the red blood cells, causing to them burst, producing severe anemia (shortage of red cells). Blood transfusions may be needed. Fleas and mites more commonly act as vectors, but ticks can also carry these parasites. Signs may be absent, mild or severe (fever, depression, pale membranes, loss of appetite, and even death).

Hepatozoonosis is spread by brown dog ticks. A fever, weakness, and loss of appetite may be seen.

Ticks should be removed as soon as possible by grasping the tick at the skin and pulling. If your cat goes out in a tick-infested area, you should use a tick prevention product, as prescribed by your veterinarian. If your cat shows signs of tick-borne diseases, your veterinarian will perform appropriate tests for diagnosis.