Bug attached to cat.

Question
I felt this roughness under my cat's chin and thought it was a scab, but the next day to my horror I managed to prize off this small, grey, ladybird shaped bug with little black pointed legs. I couldn't squash it but threw it in the fire.
What I would like to know is what was it and will it have done any damage to my cat?
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Deborah.  Sounds like a tick.  Ticks are arachnids (same family as spiders) that feed on the blood of animals.  They anchor themselves to the skin of their host and will feed for days until they are full, or until they are removed.  There are several species of ticks.  Most will feed on the blood of any warm-blooded animal they can find, including humans, but they prefer animals with fur so they are hidden.  Ticks are flat unless they are completely full, and have a hard, protected body, so they are just about impossible to squash.  To kill them, you can burn them or put them in a jar with alcohol.

Most of the time, tick bites will just cause a little bit of irritation and then heal.  However, there are some possible complications.  If the tick is removed by force, sometimes the body is separated from the head, and the head stays in the cat's skin.  This can cause infection.  For this reason, it's recommended to use tweezers to remove ticks gently.  Place the tips of the tweezers as close to the skin as possible, and pull it slowly away.

Ticks are known to carry disease.  The species of tick that carries disease most often is called a Deer tick.  They are known to carry a bacterial infection called Lyme Disease, which can cause chronic joint pain and heart problems if not treated promptly.  There is a blood test for Lyme Disease if your cat becomes lethargic, develops a fever or seems sore.

Other species of ticks can spread all sorts of other serious bacterial illnesses, too.  If you notice she seems feverish, sluggish, or loses appetite, it's best to get her to the vet right away, and mention you had found a tick on her.

All of these diseases are contagious to humans, though generally only through tick bites.  Your cat cannot spread them to you.

Ticks are most commonly found on animals that go outdoors, although they can be brought into the home on grocery bags or pant legs.  The best way to prevent ticks is to keep pets indoors.  If any of them go outside, they should wear a monthly tick preventative, like Frontline Plus or Revolution.  Both of these are liquid treatments you put between your cat's shoulders, and they're available at vets.  Frontline Plus is sold at some pet stores.