How to get a tick off a cat

With the rise of pet keeping, more and more people are starting to keep cats! Spring and summer are also periods of high incidence of various parasites. During this period, scavengers must pay attention to parasite problems!
During the period of high parasite incidence, there is a kind of parasite called tick, which is active in wooded places, such as grassland, shrubs, etc., and is more active in spring.
Ticks burrow their heads into the skin of animals to stay on them. The risk of tick bites is greatest outdoors and in rural areas, but it is also very likely that scavengers will bring ticks home and cause cats to be bitten.
Once the tick attaches to the owner’s body, the tick will feed on the owner’s blood and grow rapidly in a few days. When it is full, it will fall to the ground and the indoor environment will be polluted. So tick treatment should be done sooner rather than later.

Introduction to ticks

Ticks are small arthropods that live on animals and usually have brown or black shells. They attach to the pet’s skin and suck the pet’s blood to survive. Ticks are difficult to detect in your pet’s hair, so checking your pet regularly, especially after spending time outdoors, is key to preventing ticks.

How to tell if the owner is infected with ticks?

It can be judged directly with the naked eye. Cats infected with ticks can see ticks of various sizes adhering to the skin. The skin that has been bitten by a tick will become red, itchy, and swollen.
After being infected with ticks, most cat owners will suffer from listlessness, anorexia, extreme anemia, repeated high fever, jaundice, pale mucous membranes, dark urine, etc. Babesia (Babes) can sometimes be seen during microscopic examination in the hospital. Parasitic disease is a blood protozoal disease transmitted by Ixodes ticks).
If there is a tick on the cat, you cannot pull the tick off directly with your hands. The sucker of the tick that is pulled off directly will remain in the cat’s body. It will cause some harm to the cat!
Tick collectors can take the cat to the pet hospital for treatment. They can choose to give the cat an appropriate amount of anesthetic. The tick will be numb after sucking the blood with the anesthetic and will fall off automatically.
When the scavenger sees a tick on a cat, he should promptly take it to the hospital for examination and treatment by a doctor or other professional, and then remove it. The cat should be regularly dewormed internally and externally.

Once you find a tick on your pet, the following steps can help you deal with the problem correctly:

Use the right tools:

Using specialized tick tweezers or pliers, hold the tick as close to the skin as possible and twist it slowly and steadily to disengage the tick from the skin. Never use your fingers or unsterilized tools to remove the tick, as this can cause the tick’s mouth to remain lodged in the skin.

Meticulous cleaning:

Wash your pet’s skin with mild soap and warm water, especially the area where the tick is attached. This helps kill any bacteria that may be lingering on your skin.

Disinfect:

Use medical alcohol or iodine to disinfect the tick bite site to prevent infection.

Observe:

After removing the tick, continue to observe your pet’s skin to make sure there is no infection or other abnormality. If you notice anything unusual, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Save ticks:

Place removed ticks in a sealed container, label the date and location. This helps your veterinarian diagnose if your pet develops health problems in the future.

Prevention is better than cure, and taking preventive measures can reduce your pet’s chance of getting a tick infestation:

Periodic inspection:

After each time your pet spends time outdoors, carefully examine its body, especially areas susceptible to tick infestation such as its ears, neck, armpits, and abdomen.

Anti-flea collar or drops:

Use a flea collar or drops recommended by your veterinarian. These products are often insecticidal and effective in preventing ticks.

Lawn maintenance:

Long grass and weeds are a habitat for ticks. Keep your garden neat and tidy by mowing your lawn regularly to reduce breeding grounds for ticks.

Indoor control:

Using pet-safe pest control products indoors, such as cleaning bedding and pet equipment, can reduce the risk of tick transmission.

Vaccination:

Vaccines for tick-borne diseases are available in some areas. Ask your veterinarian if he or she recommends vaccinations for your pet.

Seek veterinary help

If your pet’s tick problem is severe or recurring, it’s best to consult a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can provide you with personalized advice, recommend tick prevention measures appropriate for your pet, and check your pet for tick-borne diseases. For some endemic areas, such as tick-borne diseases, prevention is very important.

In conclusion

Tick issues can be a common challenge in caring for our pets. However, with the right treatment and prevention, we can protect our pets from ticks and ensure their health and happiness. Regular inspections, using appropriate insect repellent products, and keeping indoor and outdoor environments clean are keys to preventing tick problems.
If you find a tick on your pet, follow proper treatment procedures and consult a veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure your pet’s health is not affected.