Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Michelle (furbabystar) on September 01, 2007, 17:13:32 PM

Title: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on September 01, 2007, 17:13:32 PM
A stray Black and White cat that i feed has a huge tick on his shoulder.

Is it safe to leave it or should i try and catch the cat ?
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: Beccles on September 01, 2007, 17:15:32 PM
It'll fall off on its own when it's full  :sick: but if it was my cat I'd want it off sooner than that. If it's a feral the stress of catching it would probably be MUCH worse than any harm done by the tick - there is a possibility of their transmitting disease but the damage is surely already done, yanking it off now couldn't help that.

If the moggy is a regular visitor, you could try and frontline him/her...
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on September 01, 2007, 17:23:15 PM
Ticks need to be removed carefully ... you must make sure you get the whole thing otherwise you end up leaving the head and this will get infected. (you can buy speical tick removers).

Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: cheekee_munkee on September 01, 2007, 17:40:28 PM
Ticks are only dangerous in high numbers.

As they feed on blood, a high number on a cat could possibly cause anaemia.

This would make the cat feel weak.

As Sam says they need to be removed carefully.

Best of luck
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: berties mum on September 01, 2007, 18:35:15 PM
I tried a tick remover on Minnie and it did nothing ... vet then told me he would always recommend they are removed by a pro, as they can cause really serious problems if the head detaches and stays under the skin.
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 02, 2007, 13:55:50 PM
Ticks should be removed.  If you dont want to take it to the vets then smear a giant blob of vaseline over it - that suffocates them and it will fall off also treat it with frontline or something.
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: Ela on September 02, 2007, 14:34:37 PM
Quote
vet then told me he would always recommend they are removed by a pro,


Um, I wonder why some vets sell tick removers?
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: berties mum on September 02, 2007, 17:07:10 PM
Don't know - mine certainly doesn't and wasn't impressed that I'd tried using a remover on Minnie without success.  As with most things, different vets probably give different advice.
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: Mark on September 02, 2007, 17:44:34 PM
My vet has told me on my last few visits that stronghold will soon work on ticks as well. He said it is due to to milder (supposedly) weather we have thesedays.
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: CurlyCatz on September 02, 2007, 20:07:55 PM
tick removers work very well but from experience of many a owner managing to remove the body and leaving the head part which then can turn into a foreign body many will just advise getting it removed by veterinary staff.
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on September 02, 2007, 23:46:50 PM
I dont see this cat every day so i will have a good look at it the next time he "pops round".
He is a beaten up old cat and i have only managed to touch time once but he is happy for me to sit there while he eats
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: Ela on September 03, 2007, 08:34:09 AM
Quote
tick removers work very well but from experience of many a owner managing to remove the body and leaving the head part which then can turn into a foreign body many will just advise getting it removed by veterinary staff

I have posted before about one tick I removed, as its head popped out the tick went into the air (just missing my face), landed on the cat pen floor then started to walk off. Me being me dare not stand on it so I ran in and  got the frontline spray. Although it was necessary I did feel so guilty at ending a little life.
Title: Re: Are ticks dangerous ?
Post by: berties mum on September 03, 2007, 14:02:08 PM
I have posted before about one tick I removed, as its head popped out the tick went into the air (just missing my face), landed on the cat pen floor then started to walk off. Me being me dare not stand on it so I ran in and  got the frontline spray. Although it was necessary I did feel so guilty at ending a little life.

Eek, that's the last time I try any at-home tick removal - I'd have been hysterical!!  :rofl: