Tick Fever in Cats

Tick fever is transmitted by tick bite. The most common types are Lyme disease, which is not fatal, and bobcat disease, which is not fatal in bobcats but almost always is fatal in house cats. Cats with these ailments will present many different symptoms. If you suspect tick fever, take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

  1. Lethargy

    • If your cat is normally energetic but suddenly becomes lazy or lethargic, check for ticks or evidence of recent tick bites. Lethargy is a symptom of numerous ailments and is only one symptom of tick fever.

    Pain

    • Localized pain, or a feeling of heat, at the site of a suspected tick bite is an indicator. With bobcat fever, the pain will be excruciating and affect the entire body; with Lyme disease, mainly the joints are affected.

    Loss of Appetite

    • Cats with tick fever will refuse food and sometimes refuse to drink water, presenting a danger of dehydration.

    Fever

    • Normal body temperature for a house cat is approximately 100.5 F to 102.5 F. In an infected cat, a temperature higher than 105 F is not uncommon.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Blood testing provides the only definitive diagnosis for tick fever. Once the illness is identified, your veterinarian will choose an antibiotic to treat your cat. Advanced cases of either type of common tick fever may require hospitalization and intravenous therapies.