Why Ticks Can Be Extremely Dangerous For Your Cat

1. Cytauxzoonosis

Cytauxzoon is caused due to a parasite in the blood called Cytauxzoon felis, capable of infecting tissues and blood in cats. Within three weeks, your feline friend will hemorrhage and die. Bobcats usually carry these parasites and they are immune to them. However, if a tick bites a bobcat before it attaches on to your feline friend, it will suffer from cytauxzoonosis.

Symptoms

Anemia
Breathing difficulty
Dehydration
Depression
Jaundice
Lethargy
Pale gums
There is a cure for Cytauxzoonosis but it is effective in only 60% of the cats.

2. Babesiosis

Babesia felis, a parasite that causes Babesiosis, affects felines through ticks, animal bites, blood transfusion and if the mother is already carrying the parasite. Usually, it takes about two weeks to infect your feline friend. However, in the majority of the cases, the disease remains undetected for months to years.

Symptoms

Anemia
Jaundice
Lack of energy
Loss of appetite
Mucous membranes are pale
You can cure this disease with a combination of anti-malarial and antibiotic medications. If anemia is severe, the vet will have to do a blood transfusion.

3. Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is another tick-borne disease caused by Ehrlichia risticii and Ehrlichia canis. These organisms can kill the cells in your feline’s body. Ehrlichiosis is usually found in felines residing in North America, Africa, South America, and Europe.

Symptoms

Anemia
Bloated lymph nodes
Breathing difficulties
Depression
Diarrhea
Discharge from eyes
Fever
Inflamed and swollen joints
Lethargy
Mucous membranes become pale
Vomiting
To treat Ehrlichiosis, you may have to keep your feline friend in the hospital. The most common form of medication to treat the disease is antibiotics. If the symptoms are severe, blood transfusions and fluid therapy will be suggested by the vet.

4. Haemobartonellosis

Haemobartonellosis, another deadly disease spread by ticks, can be fatal to felines. Mycoplasma haemofelis, a group of microorganisms, infect felines after they feed on animals that carry these microorganisms. Mother cats are also capable of transmitting the disease to their little ones if they are suffering from Haemobartonellosis.

Symptoms

Anemia
Depression
Loss of appetite
Jaundice
Mucous membranes become pale
Respiration and heart rate increases
Weight loss
To fight against haemobartonellosis, the vet will give antibiotics to your feline. Your cat will need to stay in the hospital till it recovers completely.

Ticks are extremely dangerous to your feline as they cause the above diseases. If you see a tick on your cat’s body, remove it immediately and get your feline checked by a vet.