Why is my horse feverish after being bitten by a tick? | arlo.® Atlas

Read time: 3 minutes

Overview

If your horse feels feverish after a tick bite, the bite itself may be causing local irritation, but a raised temperature can also point to something else going on. Ticks can leave the skin sore or swollen, and sometimes a horse may be unwell for reasons that are not directly obvious at first, so it’s worth checking carefully rather than assuming it’s only the bite.

Things To Check

1. Take your horse’s temperature if you can do so safely, and note whether it’s genuinely raised or if the horse just feels warm to the touch.

2. Look closely at the tick bite site for swelling, redness, heat, broken skin, discharge or a scab that seems more inflamed than you’d expect.

3. Check whether your horse seems dull, off their feed, tucked up, shivery or less keen to move around normally.

4. See if there are any other signs such as stiff joints, swelling elsewhere, muscle soreness or sensitivity when being handled.

5. Think about when you first noticed the bite and when the feverish feeling started, as the timing can help you spot whether this may be a coincidence or part of a wider issue.

6. Inspect the rest of the coat and skin for any other ticks, bites, scabs or areas of irritation that could mean there’s more than one problem.

7. Keep an eye on water intake, droppings and general behaviour, since changes there can help show whether your horse is just reacting locally or feeling generally unwell.

Common Causes

The most common reason is local skin irritation around the bite. A tick can leave a small sore area that feels hot, swollen or tender, and that can make the horse seem generally uncomfortable.

Another common possibility is that the feverish feeling isn’t from the tick bite itself, but from a separate illness or infection that’s happening at the same time.

Less commonly, a tick bite can be linked with a more widespread reaction or a tick-borne illness. These are not something to assume, but they’re one reason not to ignore a genuine temperature rise or a horse that seems off-colour.

What To Do

Keep the horse quiet and monitor their temperature if you’re able to do that reliably. Make a note of any change in appetite, attitude, movement or swelling so you can give clear information if you need to speak to a vet.

If the bite area looks sore, keep the skin clean and avoid fussing with it. Don’t pick at the site or try to dig out any remaining mouthparts, as that can make the area more inflamed.

Check turnout, bedding and coat condition so you can reduce further tick exposure where possible, especially if your horse has been in long grass, hedgerows or woodland edges.

If the horse seems otherwise bright and the temperature is normal, a short period of close observation may be reasonable. If the temperature is raised, the horse is dull, or the bite site is getting worse rather than better, speak to your vet.

When To Contact A Vet

Contact your vet if your horse has a genuine fever, seems dull or off colour, or the bite area becomes more swollen, painful or begins to discharge. It’s also sensible to get advice if there are joint changes, stiffness, ongoing lethargy, or you’re seeing more than one tick bite and your horse doesn’t seem right.

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