My cat's tick bite is lumpy and weeping. Is it infected?

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

Thank you for providing a picture and for helping this start cat out! It is difficult to say based on the picture of it is a tick or perhaps even an ulcerated skin growth. For this reason I would be hesitant about trying to use a tick removing device. The risk of bleeding or infection could be high if the lesion is in fact not a tick. You could try a warm water bath over the lesion to see if you can visualise the area in greater detail and repost a picture. Thank you For using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and please post any further questions you may have here on the forum.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a small focus of infection. You can try to shave around it and clean it. If it continues to look superficial (as it looks on the picture), you can consider applying a thin film of triple antibiotic on it in case it is just a mild infection. If it does not resolve within 1 week of starting such treatment, have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good day!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This actually looks very inflamed and possibly infected. I recommend that you have Mikey evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. This will likely respond well to antibiotics and local therapy with flushing and cleaning of the wound. Good luck and have a good night!

This looks like a small, localized spot of infection, sometimes referred to as a hot spot. If the infection is contained to this one area you can try to treat it at home with some topical antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin). If this does not take care of the problem, or if there are other areas like this on her skin, I would recommend having her checked out by your vet so a systemic antibiotic can be given.

A tick bite typically leaves a "granuloma." This is a reaction to the tick's saliva. It should resolve on its own in a a few days to a few weeks. Monitor for signs of infection, lameness, lethargy, swollen or painful joints or fever. Use a [tick preventive](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-and-puppy-flea-and-tick) such as FrontLine, K9 Advantix, Bravecto, NexGard or a Seresto collar. Always check for [ticks on your dog](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-places-ticks-hide-on-dogs) upon returning home for outdoors.

This lump is likely a local inflammatory response that is sort of like an allergic reaciton. As long as it doesn't spread, becomes painful or causes a fever then I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Apply topical Neosporin if you wish twice a day until healed. Ticks take more than 48 hrs of attachment or transmit disease.