The Complications In Cats Caused Due To Ticks

Ticks are parasites which feed on the blood of our feline companions and can cause detrimental health effects. Even the single bite of ticks can transmit several diseases which can vary based on your location and the type of breed. Cytauxzoonosis, Babesia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Mycoplasma are some of the major diseases which are transmitted through ticks. Early treatment for the ticks is very important for the health of your cat. Now, let's have a detail look at the complications in cats caused due to ticks.

• Cytauxzoonosis: This disease is most commonly found in cats in the area of south central and southeast United States. Ticks affect many parts of the body and hence cats become severely ill. If left untreated for a long time, the parasitic infection can lead to high fever, depression, anemia, difficulty breathing, and jaundice. If the cat is not treated before a week, the disease can become fatal. Seek an immediate treatment, drugs or injections for your furry friend by consulting with your vet doctor. Even if the cat gets treated and recovered with Cytauxzoonosis, it can remain as carriers of the disease for life.
• Babesiosis: It is also known as Piroplasmosis and it is caused due to protozoa Babesia. Ticks transmit protozoa into the blood of cat and also lead to anemia. It is generally found in southern US but can also rarely occur in northern parts. The symptoms of the disease include lack of appetite, lack of energy, pale mucous membranes and Icterus. Diagnosis of the disease can be done with the urine and blood tests. Call your vet doctor for an early treatment of the Babesiosis.
• Tularemia: It is caused due to bacteria and is commonly found in North America. High fever, nasal discharge, swollen lymph nodes, and possibly blisters at the site of the tick bite are the major symptoms of the tularemia also known as rabbit fever. Kittens and young cats are more susceptible to this tick disease. After diagnosis with blood tests for bacteria, antibiotics can be given to the cat.
• Feline infectious anemia: When ticks drain too much of blood from host body they become deficient in red blood cells. It leads to anemia and weakness in them. It is widely known as Haemobartonellosis. The disease can be diagnosed with blood tests and antibiotics are given depending on the severity of the infection.
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF): It is commonly found in the Midwest, east, and plain areas of the US. When ticks are attached to the body of the cat for more than five hours, the infection occurs. Depression, loss of appetite, joint pain, vomiting, fever, lameness, and diarrhea are some of the common symptoms. While in severe cases it can cause kidney failure, pneumonia, heart abnormalities, liver damage, or even stumbling. The infection can be diagnosed with blood tests and the antibiotics can be given for about two weeks.

Some other diseases include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and tick paralysis which more or less often occur in cats. There are no vaccines available for most or all of these diseases which makes prevention of ticks of paramount importance.

Control the ticks to keep away all these complications from your cat. Use collars, sprays, powders, shampoos, bathing oils or medications such as Frontline Plus for cats to treat ticks. Talk to your vet doctor if you find signs of any of these complications.