Tick on my cat

[sweetlilac]

KittyKat has a few ticks on her. Is this an issue? I have only ever had indoor cats so never had to worry. I comb her every day so fleas don't seem to be a problem. But these ticks are gross. I did remove a few black dots, thought they were flea eggs, but maybe baby ticks, idk.

I have been reluctant to put tick and flea stuff on her. The lady down the street who has KittyKat's relatives said her cats lost half their hair (bad reaction) and so she only uses half the amount.

Are the ticks dangerous? PS I don't want to get a tick on me either! First time I've had this issue!~ If so, what is the best way to remove them? Thanks in advance.

 

[fionasmom]

I have never seen a tick in my life here in the concrete jungle, but I think you need more information and I am sure others will post. It is my impression that some ticks, depending, are a danger to humans and they certainly should not be living on your cats. Some of this might depend on where you are in the world/country. Several of my friends in PA and NE do have Lyme disease as does a friend in northern CA.

 

[sweetlilac]

I am in Northern CA. It's the little teeny ones, the ticklets that you can barely see, that are the most dangerous, I have heard, I want to get rid of these ticks anyway, they are bigger, and it occurred to me, I am at risk for these teeny ticks too, just being around her, obviously. Have always worried about fleas but never ticks.

I have no idea how to remove a tick but I am creeped out by bugs in general, as is dh. Ugh! Tick creams? Or sheer muscle or something in between?

 

[gilmargl]

You can buy cheap pliers to remove ticks from cats. You have to be careful to remove the complete tick, including the head, otherwise there is danger of infection. However, for an adult cat, who may have more than one tick hidden somewhere, I much prefer a Spot-On treatment from the vet. The few black dots you found could easily be from fleas. Just because you can't find live fleas on a cat, doesn't mean that he isn't attacked by fleas as soon as he goes outside. I would suggest a Spot-On for fleas and ticks, just to be sure. The woman who told you about a bad reaction may have used the wrong dosage. It is important to weigh your cat and get the correct dosage. Ticks and fleas will laugh if the dosage is too low and the poor cat will suffer if it is too high. If you use a Spot-on treatment the ticks will fall off and die. There will be no danger to you.
It is not generally recommended using oil, or anything else to help remove ticks.

Normally, humans pick up ticks walking in long grass, as do cats and other animals. The ticks you remove by hand from the cat should be killed (squashed or put in hot water). If you do find a tick on your body, it is important to remove it completely as soon as possible and if the area becomes infected seek medical help.

 

[Babypaws]

How about a good pair of tweezers to remove the tick? When I’ve removed ticks I burn them with a match....

 

[Willowy]

Do you have a flea comb? I just use those to remove ticks. Just sweep the teeth of the comb under the tick and comb it right off, mouth parts and all. I put the ticks in hot water (boil it in the microwave using an old mug I don't drink out of, lol).

You do want to get them before they get fat and fall off to go lay eggs to make more ticks.

It's fairly rare for a cat to have multiple ticks, do you think she's ok? Cats usually bite them off if they're where the cat can reach.

 

[sweetlilac]

HI all and I do SO appreciate all these answers. I don't have a vet for KittyKat. I always wonder, what if the vet were to come around and KittyKat was on a catwalk? She has never been inside though she's kind of glued to her heat mat. Murphy's law says she'd disappear the one time a traveling vet would come by! And I've invited her in the house, she doesn't want to come in/stay in, she wants to leave right away. Now that I spotted the tick(s)- ick, right?

I do use a variety of combs on her but this tick is dug in. I mean, Wow! I thought my flea and tick comb ... or some other comb... I have several and they all reach another layer of her coat. No. Tick just stays there.

I think there is only one tick. about the size of a small French lentil, but it's on the top of her head, probably hard for her to get to it. It's been like, a week? Sometimes I feel something somewhere else I can't see, and wonder. Was she in a cat fight? It it a ??? tick or something? But then it/they go away. Maybe she does get rid of them but not this one.

Otherwise I'd get her checked out. She's been TNRed - she "came with the house" when we bought it years ago so I guess the former owners did whatever they did. Last time she's had any vet anything. Not sure she needs one? Though actually... would a vet show me the right amount of flea product and tick product? Please forgive me, anyone who has been following KittyKat knows I am a fairly ignorant feral caretaker. I've had many pets, but since my becoming an adult, a million years ago, I've only had all indoor cats! I would "escort" them to the vet and no more questions.

I never planned on having this cat but she's here until we leave, and I intend to make sure she is well taken care of even when I have to move on.

Many thanks and open to ideas.

 

[sweetlilac]

Do you have a flea comb? I just use those to remove ticks. Just sweep the teeth of the comb under the tick and comb it right off, mouth parts and all. I put the ticks in hot water (boil it in the microwave using an old mug I don't drink out of, lol).

You do want to get them before they get fat and fall off to go lay eggs to make more ticks.

It's fairly rare for a cat to have multiple ticks, do you think she's ok? Cats usually bite them off if they're where the cat can reach.

 

[sweetlilac]

Should I just keep trying with the different combs? Is this safe? I have like 5 combs and 3 brushes, my KittyKat is crazy for combs and brushes.... it's like catnip to her. Being groomed.

And I would like to use something to prevent more ticks. I'm squeamish about ticks, and want her to be healthy too, concerned this tick thing not good. Or fleas. Just don't really know how/how much/ etc . I guess I am a little scared of if she has a reaction.

 

[sweetlilac]

Good news. Tick has been removed. I asked a friend who said, pull out with tweezers, and, if that doesn't work, give tweezered tick a counter-clockwise twist. (Have no idea why a counterclockwise twist)... but that gave me the nerve to do the deed.

Tick was lodged in but a little c.c. twist and out he popped. Just wanted to share!

I was so proud of KittyKat. I got her relaxed, and she was still, and chill... such a sweetie. Time for a treat, yes?

 

[CL56]

Time for a treat, yes?

A treat for both of you !

 

[sweetlilac]

Yes. well it will be a treat for me just not to have to look at that thing.

I suspect KittyKat didn't like it either. Afterwards, when I left her, she - who had been previously chill - started running around in a burst of energy, in silly circles, and marking everything with her whiskers (which I think is her way of saying, "I'm so happy I don't know what to do with myself".) I suspect she knew she had something she wanted gone. And I did give her a treat and she then conked out on her heated mat like a giant lump of still-life. Bliss.

PS I asked my friend, why counterclockwise? and he said, something about the anatomy of ticks and how they hold on. This is the antidote when they hold on, which will happen after about 30 days or ???. He's a doctor and he learned this in medical school a long time ago.