Tick,cyst or something else?

Our cat has a whitish, tag like growth on the back of its neck with what looks like a lump or wound at its base. At first I thought it was a tick but it doesn't look like one. It looks like a big pimple, about 8mm long and 2mm across. Can anyone suggest what it might be? He's had it for over a week now and it has remained the same size, if it were a tick would it have dropped off by now? It doesn't seem to bother him unduly.

An 8mm long pimple would get you in the Guinness Book of World Records.

In case you haven't checked yet, this is what a tick looks like - both "empty" and engorged.





Start here if you still have questions about ticks. Determining whether it's a tick or not is very important, and very easy.

Thank you Shad, let's hope its not a world record pimple! From the link you sent me the white tick marked e is the closest match, but having studies the photos I don't think my cat's problem is a tick as it hasn't any discernable legs etc. However, if it were, could it remain attached at the same size and colour for over a week? I thought they fell off when they'd had their fill.

Maybe it would depend on the type of tick, but once the get that size...they are only latched on for two or three days. Can you post a picture or give more details?? Is it red and inflamed at the base? When you say tag like, do you mean it protrudes like a cats say...nipple? Or that it's swollen out like a cyst or abcess? There are so many possibilities, some serious (abcess or botfly) and some not so serious. To see if it's a tick, try using a toothpick and lay it flat side down,against your cat's back, and slowly move it towards the "tag" and see if you can slide it "gently" under the tag.

I'll try and get a photo, may not be easy to get a good one though. An elongated nipple or spot with a long head would be good comparisons. It is a bit scabby at the base with some swelling but there's no redness.

Booked him in at the vets last Tuesday, meanwhile the thing fell, or was scratched off leaving an open wound. Vet gave him an antibiotic injection. If it hasn't cleared up in 10 days they'll investigate further.