My cat has a bump after I pulled out a tick. Should I see a vet?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 2 years and 9 months old
my cat had a tick on her 4about 5 days ago, which I pulled out not realising it was a tick, it had legs on when I pulled it out, but now there is a bump where it was attached, (maybe a pus lump) what is the best thing to do? should I take her to the vet? or get rid of the lump by popping it? Its hard to see in the picture but we tried to flick of the top thinking it was a spot (which is why it is red) it was just white before. she doesn't seem in pain when I touch it, what do you think is best?
5 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 14th, 2017
YEs this is quite likely a tick bite reaction and there may be part of the tick still there causing irritation. Bathing with warm saline soaked cotton wool will help to keep the area clean if she allows you, monitor closely for increasing redness, pain, lameness or fever which may indicate a widespread infection which would require additional treatment. I recommend using a tick prevention such as bravecto every 3months to prevent further incidents
6Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on May 26th, 2015
It is common to have a local reaction after a tick bite. You could clean the area with peroxide and apply an over the counter antibiotic cream. I would definitely monitor for anything abnormal and have him examined by a vet if needed.
38Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on December 28th, 2018
Tick bites can sometimes cause a local reaction and inflammation that can result in mild redness and swelling around the bite. If there is significant swelling or discharge from the bite you may want to have your vet take a look. You may also want to watch for signs of tick borne disease like lethargy, fever and joint pain over the next few months - the deer tick can carry diseases other than Lyme disease. It would also be a good idea to talk to your vet about a tick preventative.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on April 27th, 2017
I'm sorry Summer had ticks on her! If one was bigger than the other, then that meant that it did feed. Removing the ticks was exactly the right idea, and for now, I would keep any eye on the spots where you found the ticks. A small red bump may develop, but that should go away in a few weeks. If it doesn't go away or becomes larger, then Summer will need to see a vet. You can clean the area with warm water and antiseptic soap. As I'm sure you are aware, dogs can get diseases from ticks such as Lyme disease, but it can take weeks to months for those symptoms to appear. Again monitor her, and if she become very lethargic, starts limping, and/or has swollen and painful joints I would have her seen by a vet. Luckily Lyme disease can be treated with doxycycline. In the future, I would put Summer on a topical medication that also kills ticks such as Revolution. Good luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on May 5th, 2017
The lump is likely a small abscess or infection where the tick was. This not a huge concern, but the diseases that ticks can carry and transmit to your dog are a much more dangerous issue. Visit your veterinarian for a prescription for Advantix or Nexguard so your dog will be prevented from disease transmission like Lyme disease. The lump will likely go away as the small skin infection resolves, but if it doesn't then have your vet look at this as well when you are getting your tick prevention meds.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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