Have you had a cat get Lyme or a related disease (erlichiosis, for example) from an embedded and engorged female deer tick?

From the way your worded this, I thought the cat did have these symptoms. Then I read on, and see you are merely worried that it could happen. So, keep catching those ticks and assume the best.

I’ve never had that happen, and I think it is extremely unlikely. When you remove the ticks, you can clean the area with an antiseptic just to help yourself feel better and prevent infections. This time of year makes it even more unlikely than during times when ticks are in full force, and even then, it is extremely rare given all the tick infestations that happen and the extremely low incidence of lyme disease.

None of my animals have ever caught any disease from ticks. Since I currently live with five dogs and seven cats in an area infested with ticks, I would say that indicates that it is a rare occurrence.

In fact, I know precisely one organism who has gotten a disease from ticks. She is a human being who got Lyme Disease from the ticks that came off the dead bodies of poached deer that were confiscated by Parks and Wildlife and then donated to her big cat refuge to serve as food for her tigers and mountain lions. And she had to handle a lot of deer with a lot of ticks before she caught anything.

Fleas and mosquitoes are more problematic in my book. I have had two dogs who came to me with heartworm (mosquitoes), one cat died from hemobartinellosis (fleas), and about 12 people a year catch Typhus in our county (fleas).

I wouldn’t worry unless your cat shows symptoms. If it makes you feel better, do what @juwhite1 says and dab the spot with a vet-approved antiseptic.

@Darwin: The discovery and surgery occurred at 4:30 AM yesterday.While 90% asleep, I was petting Milo and felt the marble-like thing in his neck area.I leapt out of bed wearing a T-shirt and panties only. I removed tick with a pair of tweezers while Milo scratched me on thigh and drew blood. I then had to clean up and bandage my wound. Time passes.

Due to the thick fur in area of HIS neck, I am unable to find the exact spot. But saw no obvious irritation as I drew the tick out. So your comments are reassuring. So much to learn; so little time.

Perhaps next time (when you aren’t half asleep) you can try to avoid injury to yourself by swaddling him firmly in a large bath towel :)

You have my sympathies.

Don’t fret. Should Milo have any illnesses over the next few months, just be sure to mention that he did have an embedded tick. There’s no need to any preemptive treatment or diagnostics.

@Buttonstc: Or swaddling me in towel. Swaddling him leaves his jaws free, remember. But after all, we were in the bathroom; I could have swaddled one of us.

@syz: So I can cancel my therapy appointment?

@gailcalled Well….....