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Ticks are small Arachnida of which two principal species are present in our area: the traditional tick (Ixodes ricinus) and the brown tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). The latter originates from the Mediterranean region but it is becoming more prevalent in our region.
The tick passes the majority of its life in nature, woods and meadows, needing blood to be able to develop and reproduce. It needs three hosts to be able to develop completely, acting as a parasite on both wild mammals (such as mice, hedgehogs, roe-deer), as well as domestic pets (sheep, horses, dogs, cats), and man.
Ticks are major parasites of dogs and cats
Ticks are frequent cutaneous parasites in dogs and cats. They are responsible for cutaneous infections at the site of attachment on the skin of the animal, as well as being carriers of serious diseases.
A seasonal problem
Although ticks are a danger at all times of the year, they are more frequently found during hot or humid months, peaking in the spring and autumn.
The life cycle of a tick
For each stage of its life cycle, the tick nourishes itself on the blood of its host for 3 to 10 days, before falling off to continue the following stages of its development. In France, a complete life cycle can take about 3 years.
The search for a host
Ticks locate their hosts using various sensitive organs that detect heat, breathing, and vibrations. Once on an animal, they seek a zone with fine skin, generally towards the head or ears to fix onto and take their meal. They then penetrate their rostrum (mouth parts) in the skin and secrete a cement there to consolidate their fix.
Problems caused by ticks
- Local reactions at the point of attachment - sometimes an animal will develop an allergic reaction at the site at which the tick is attached to the skin. Cutaneous infections and swellings often appear when one attempts to remove the tick, leaving the rostrum buried in the skin.
- Transmission of severe diseases - diseases transmitted by ticks to your cat are thankfully rare. Babesiosis, ehrlichiosis or hemobartonellosis are possible diseases. The symptoms are very varied: fever, lethargy, hyperthermia, abatement, anorexia, digestive and respiratory disorders, and haemolytic anaemias.
- Anaemia - massive infestations, particularly in kittens, can cause significant loss of blood, causing death in extreme cases.
How to remove ticks?
Preventive and systematic medication of your cat is not required if you do not live in a zone at risk. However, treatments exist, generally associated with those against the fleas, in the forms of pipettes. Before any treatment, it is recommended that you ask the opinion of your veterinary surgeon who will advise you on the appropriate drug to be used.
Stéphanie Lom (veterinarian) |
