You felt a tiny bump on your dog’s ear. Or maybe you spotted something on your cat’s neck that didn’t look quite right. Then you realise: it’s a tick. Your stomach drops.
You’ve heard ticks carry diseases, but your pet seems fine right now. Should you be worried? What should you even look for? Should you call the vet?
You’re not alone in asking these questions. Tick-borne illnesses can be sneaky, and sometimes the signs don’t show up until it’s too late to act quickly. But here’s the good news: if you know what to watch for, you can catch problems early and keep your pet safe.
The Real Risk: What Ticks Can Do
Ticks aren’t just a nuisance; they’re disease carriers, and a single bite can sometimes make your dog or cat seriously ill.
Most tick-related illnesses don’t come from the tick being attached—they come from what the tick leaves behind. When a tick feeds on your pet’s blood, it can pass along bacteria or parasites that cause infections. Some of these diseases take days or even weeks to show symptoms.
Even if your pet is on a preventive treatment, no method is 100% foolproof. That’s why it’s so important to know what signs to look out for—just in case.
Tick-Borne Illnesses to Know
In Dogs
Dogs are vulnerable to a few different tick-borne diseases. Some of the most common include:
- Lyme disease: Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, this disease can lead to lameness, swollen joints, fatigue and, in serious cases, kidney damage.
- Ehrlichiosis: This disease affects blood cells and can cause fever, muscle pain, weight loss, and bleeding problems.
- Anaplasmosis: Similar to ehrlichiosis, it can cause bleeding problems as well as joint pain, lethargy, and stiff limbs.
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever: This disease is less common, but very serious. It can cause high fever, swelling, and even seizures.
In Cats
Cats are more resistant to some tick-borne diseases, but not all. A few risks include:
- Cytauxzoonosis: Often deadly, this disease is caused by a parasite transmitted by the Lone Star tick. Signs develop rapidly and include lethargy, loss of appetite, high fever, and breathing difficulty.
- Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis: Rare in cats, but possible, especially in high-risk areas.
Knowing which diseases are a risk in your region can help. Your vet can advise based on local tick populations.
What Symptoms to Watch For
Symptoms might show up days or even weeks after the tick bite, and they often look like other common illnesses. That’s why it helps to know the early red flags. Here’s what to look out for:
In Dogs
- Sudden lameness (especially shifting from one leg to another)
- Stiff or swollen joints
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue or low energy
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Pale gums
- Nosebleeds or unusual bruising
In Cats
- Lethargy (hiding, sleeping more than usual)
- Loss of appetite
- High fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
- Neurological changes like unsteady walking
If your pet shows more than one of these symptoms, especially after you’ve found a tick, don’t wait it out—get in touch with your vet.
When to Call the Vet
It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to tick-borne illness. Some vets recommend screening for disease exposure with any tick bite, while others don’t. Make sure to call your vet if:
- Your pet had a tick on them in the last few weeks and is acting differently
- You notice fever, limping, or appetite loss
- You spot symptoms specific to diseases like cytauxzoonosis or Lyme
- You just feel like something’s “off”—you know your pet best
Tick-borne diseases can get worse quickly, especially in cats. Acting early can be the difference between a simple antibiotic treatment and something far more serious.
How to Stay Ahead of the Problem
The best way to protect your pet? Prevention and vigilance. Here’s what you can do:
- Use vet-recommended tick preventives: Certain oral, topical, or collar-based treatments can reduce the risk significantly.
- Check your pet regularly: Especially after walks or outdoor play. Focus on warm, hidden areas like ears, armpits, under collars, and between toes.
- Remove ticks promptly and properly: Use fine-tipped tweezers near the skin and pull straight out. Don’t twist, squeeze or burn the tick—these actions can increase the risk of tick-borne disease.
- Know your local risk: Some areas are hotspots for ticks. If you live in or visit one, be extra cautious.
- Keep the garden tidy: Ticks thrive in tall grass and leaf litter. Keep your outdoor space trimmed and clean.
Even with all the right precautions, some ticks might still slip through. That’s why knowing the signs is your best defence.
Ticks might be tiny, but the health problems they cause in pets are anything but. You don’t need to panic every time you find one, but you do need to stay alert.
If your dog seems tired or starts limping or your cat stops eating after a tick bite, don’t brush it off: you might be catching something important early.
Prevention helps. Vigilance matters. And knowing what to watch for could make all the difference.