Tick on cat

I think my cat has a tick, I understand you can pull them out with tweezers. Has anybody tried to get a tick out of a cat?

Do NOT pull the tick out with tweezers. This will leave the head of the tick burrowed under the skin and will result in an infection. The easiest way is to take a pin and heat it really hot then apply it to the ticks bum, it should then fall off which if any remains you can then use a tweezer. Another way is to slather some vaseline on it and this will essentially cut off its air supply.

Just remember, do not just pull it out with tweezers!

This was recently discussed here:http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=40064

Proper Removal of a Tick

The best way to remove a tick is with fine-pointed tweezers. Grab as closely to the skin as possible and pull straight back, using steady but gentle force. In addition:

Do not use your fingers to remove the tick.

Do not twist the tick, which can cause breakage, leaving part of its body in your skin.

Do not crush, prick, or burn the tick, which may cause it to salivate or regurgitate infected fluids.

Do not try to smother the tick with products such as petroleum jelly or mineral oil. Ticks can store enough oxygen to complete feeding.

Proper Disposal of a Tick

Place the tick in a sealed container or small plastic bag and deposit in the trash. James Herrington, MPH, Public Health Education Specialist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says that the humidity ticks need to survive is lacking inside a plastic bag. Do not flush ticks down the toilet because they can easily survive in the water.
Instructions with example:http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/1999/lymeside.html

Thank you Maya and Littlemisslevi for the advice. I have decided to take my cat to his Vet today to have it removed properly. Worth the $50 fee for peace of mind.

I read in the paper this morning that the Health Unit in this area is studying the increasing population and would like to test ticks that are being removed so they are asking Vets to forward them for testing.

Called the vet and they will fit me in for this afternoon. I was told that 7 ticks that were removed from dogs so far this year have been positive for Lyme and this is a small vet clinic in Gananoque, pop. 5,500.

That's the best reason NOT to smother the tick, if you smother it or burn it, or prick it, you are making it fight, when they fight they suck harder and release more toxins -

Here in Australia we have paralysis ticks that will kill your pet within 24-48 hours if you don't remove them immediately - next time, just pull it out yourself as soon as you notice it.

Since you seem to have problems in your area, check your kitty every day, top to tail, for ticks - ask your vet to show you how...

Good luck this afternoon and let us know how it went!

You are right. Funny about this morning's headlines in the local paper about ticks, and on Oprah yesterday, her guest was Dr Oz who talked about removing ticks and not to burn, smother, or try to poison them because they will release toxins.

I will be checking my cats after they come in every day. They are not allowed free and have 100% supervision outside so they are not out too long, so I will be able to check them every night before bed.

Yesterday, I just happened to walk the cat who has the tick in the woods behind my house so he can chase chipmunks. He doesn't have much luck with a long leash behind him, but he has fun anyway:laughing: .

The tick was removed by the vet and we were told that it was a male deer tick. We dropped it off at the Health Unit for further analysis. I heard that males don't transmit diseases because they didn't gorge on blood. Does anybody know if this is fact?

PS we purchase a tick removal gizmo for future ticks and were told by the vet to remove ticks as soon as they are found.

I don't know that about males...they've got to eat something and as far as I know, the only thing ticks eat is blood.

Glad the little bugger is finally gone, though. And I hope the tick turns out to be uninfected :fingerscr

Did you get one of those tick spoons? Whoever invented them deserves a medal! :D

hazelrunpack,

My husband took the cat to the vet and purchased something to detach ticks, but not sure what it is, will see when I get home. I call it the "Tick Gizmo". She also showed him how to properly remove ticks.

hazelrunpack,

My husband took the cat to the vet and purchased something to detach ticks, but not sure what it is, will see when I get home. I call it the "Tick Gizmo". She also showed him how to properly remove ticks.

he he he Make sure you 'just can't get the hang of it' and then it'll be his job to deal with the little blood-suckers! :thumbs up :laughing:

Actually, I get a perverse pleasure from removing and dispatching the little scourges. :evil:

Thats good you went to the vet.:thumbs up Hopefully it wasn't infected.:fingerscr