What do ticks do to cats? - briefly
Ticks attach to cats to feed on their blood, which can lead to skin irritation, infections, or the transmission of serious diseases like Lyme disease or anaplasmosis.
What do ticks do to cats? - in detail
Ticks are parasitic arachnids that attach themselves to the skin of cats to feed on their blood. When a tick bites a cat, it inserts its mouthparts into the skin and begins to draw blood, which can lead to irritation, inflammation, and discomfort at the site of the bite. The saliva of ticks contains substances that can cause allergic reactions, leading to redness, swelling, and itching. In some cases, the bite site may become infected, especially if the cat scratches or bites the area excessively. Ticks are also vectors for various diseases that can be transmitted to cats during feeding. Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is one of the most well-known tick-borne illnesses, although it is less common in cats compared to dogs. Other diseases include cytauxzoonosis, a severe and often fatal infection caused by the protozoan Cytauxzoon felis, and anaplasmosis, caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. These diseases can lead to symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, joint pain, and in severe cases, organ failure. Ticks can also transmit hemotropic mycoplasmas, which infect red blood cells and cause anemia. In addition to the direct health risks, heavy tick infestations can lead to significant blood loss, especially in young or small cats, resulting in weakness and anemia. Regular tick prevention and prompt removal of any ticks found on a cat are crucial to minimizing these risks and ensuring the cat's health and well-being.