How to cure a cat from ticks?

How does tick infection occur?

Exogenous parasites can live on land, in water, and on other animals. Therefore, the danger of infection exists every day. Even if your pet does not go outside for walks, you should not think that the cat is safe. How can a tick get on an animal? It's simple. You walked through the grass or past bushes, through a forest park or walked along an alley, and a small hungry tick got on your clothes. This is how you bring it home - on yourself.

Hungry ticks (photo below), especially if the peak of their activity has arrived, are very nimble.

They are also very small and are not afraid of anything. And only fire will stop the ixodid tick altogether.

Some people mistakenly believe that there is nothing dangerous about ticks sitting on a cat. However, it is not.

Firstly, the parasite can be a carrier of dangerous diseases.

Secondly, ticks in cats can get into the ears and under the skin, making the process of finding them extremely difficult. We must not forget that ticks can “spread” from a cat to other pets and even to people (ear mites are not dangerous for humans, but they happily “spread” to healthy cats).

Treatment:

The result depends on the timeliness of diagnosis, the stage of the disease, the condition and immunity of the cat, and the effectiveness of the drugs used.

Piroplasmosis (babesiosis) A rare disease. For treatment, antimalarial drugs are used (to destroy the causative parasite babesia felis) and symptomatic therapy (for example, vomiting - an antiemetic, etc.). Without the administration of an antiviral drug, the animal will die.

Hemobartonellosis (infectious anemia) The causative agent is the parasite Haemobartonella felis. Treatment is long, but usually successful. For a cat, the disease does not pose an immediate danger, but it reduces the animal’s immunity.

Cytauxzoonosis is an extremely serious tick-borne disease with a fatal outcome. Fortunately, very rare. There is no systematic treatment.

It is possible that cat diseases caused by an Ixodid tick bite are extremely rare. Perhaps not all of them are common in our country. Or perhaps, most likely, they are simply not diagnosed. Therefore, it is better not to calculate the probability of a cat becoming infected, but to try to reduce it to zero.

Ear mites in cats

A pet can become infected with ear mites as a result of:

• communication with a sick animal;
• contact with contaminated objects, which may include dishes, hygiene items, and bed mats.

In addition, there is a high probability that ear mites could be brought into the house from the street by any family member. You can also “grab” a tick with you at the entrance, where stray infected cats often end up. Insects, parasites that often infect animals, also become carriers of ticks. A person need not be afraid of infection - contact with a sick cat is not dangerous for him.

Ear mites in cats - symptoms

Under the influence of the disease, the behavior and physical condition of the animal changes. The following signs indicate that a cat is infected with ear mites:

1. The pet behaves restlessly, constantly “shaking” its head, meowing often, clinging to the owner, tilting its head to the side.
2. To relieve the unbearable itching, the animal rubs its ears against the corners of furniture and various objects, often scratching them.
3. After some time, a purulent mass may emerge from the auricle.
4. The cat develops brown crusts inside and around the ear.

If untreated, tick symptoms in cats worsen, and the inflammation gradually affects the inner and middle ear, moving further to the meninges. This condition is indicated by such signs of ear mites in cats as:

• depressed state;
• increased body temperature;
• head curved towards the affected ear;
• seizures leading to the death of the animal.

You can prevent terrible consequences if, when the first symptoms of otodectosis appear in cats, you contact a veterinarian to prescribe treatment.

Actions to take if a tick is found on a cat

After a walk, you should carefully examine the animal , running your palm over the back and tummy against the fur, inspect the face, the areas behind the ears, and paws. If the cat tick has not yet had time to attach itself, you can see a dark brown insect moving quickly along the hairs.

Before choosing a place to bite, the tick crawls along the fur for up to 2-3 hours. After a bite, it resembles a seed or a subcutaneous “pea”. It depends on how long the bloodsucker is on the cat’s skin. Once you find a tick, you need to get rid of it immediately.

To do this, wearing rubber gloves, using special tweezers, you need to twist the bloodsucker clockwise. You can’t pull it sideways or up; you can damage or tear its body. If the head remains under the skin, you will need to treat the wound with an antiseptic to prevent infection. It is better to burn the extracted tick, as it is resilient: it can get out of both the trash can and the sewer.

When removing a tick, you need to wear gloves to prevent infection from getting on your hands through the wound.

Treat the bite site on the cat's body with green paint and monitor the condition of the skin so that there is no redness, swelling or itching - symptoms of the disease for which you should consult a veterinarian.

You should carefully monitor your pet after removing a cat tick for 2-3 weeks. This period is an incubation period. If you experience fever, indifference, diarrhea or vomiting, loss of appetite, weight, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic.

After examining the animal and establishing a diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe treatment appropriate to the disease. Early diagnosis, the stage of the disease, the condition of the body, the effectiveness of medications - all this together will affect the effectiveness of treatment.

A cat has ear mites - treatment

Treatment of ear mites in cats cannot be undertaken without an accurate diagnosis, since symptoms similar to this infection are present in other diseases. The doctor will be able to check whether your suspicions regarding this disease are justified when he examines the animal’s ears using special instruments and, if necessary, conducts a microscopic examination of the ear discharge. After otodectosis is confirmed, the specialist will prescribe and carry out treatment procedures:

1. First, the ears will be cleaned by rinsing with antiseptic agents.
2. Then liquid medications are instilled using a syringe with a rubber tube (usually ear mite drops for cats, which, according to the instructions, are injected into both ears of the animal, even when only one is inflamed). In this case, it is necessary to adhere to the exact dosage of the drug, because it contains a strong poison, which in a large dose can aggravate the pet’s condition.
3. After the treatment procedure, you should massage the base of the cat’s ear.

Ixodid ticks

These insects often live in forested areas: on trees and shrubs. But it is possible that ixodid ticks live on grass and ground. Even if the forest is far away, the tick may end up in a desert area. For example, the wind brought a leaf or blade of grass on which the parasite was sitting.

Once the tick attaches, your cat or you become the victim. The parasite firmly attaches to the skin and begins to burrow into the skin. His head is inside the tissues, and his body is outside. And when it starts sucking blood, it increases tenfold!

Even if there is no pathogen inside the tick, the harm to health is considerable. Firstly, the tick secretes a secretion at the site of the “bite” that causes severe inflammation and itching. The animal will begin to itch, worry, and may pick off the sucking parasite with its paw. The bloodsucker's jaws will remain closed inside the skin, so even if it is torn off, its head will remain in the animal. This often leads to suppuration, and sometimes sepsis occurs.

Ixodid ticks

Ticks in cats are divided into three types - ixodid, ear and subcutaneous . The most common is the ixodid, an inhabitant of forests and plantings. It also poses a danger to humans, especially in the spring and summer. This type of tick has spread everywhere, even in city parks and courtyards. Has great endurance and fertility.

Its appearance is similar to the class of arachnids: an oval body protected by a chitinous shell, a tiny head and eight legs. Only a third of the female’s body is covered with an armored shield. The rest of the body almost triples in size when saturated. The size of males reaches 2.5 mm, females - up to 4 mm.

Ticks have sharp, backward-facing teeth on the proboscis of the oral cavity, which help pierce the skin and then suck out blood. When bitten, saliva is injected with

It is impossible to feel a tick bite due to the anesthetic that it injects into the bite site

action, enveloping the proboscis and tightly gluing it to the wound. That is why the parasite cannot be shaken off, and its stay on the animal can last up to one month. Having had enough, the bloodsucker rests, and the female lays eggs and dies.

The color changes from black, brown (in the hungry state) to red with a pink or gray tint during saturation. Ticks are most active in spring, early summer, and autumn.

Ixodid ticks in cats are considered the most dangerous. Once on the animal, the bloodsucker looks for the most vulnerable places: the stomach, armpits, ear cavities, groin. Having found them, the tick makes a puncture in the skin and attaches itself with the help of fixative saliva.

Ticks carry a number of diseases dangerous to humans.
The sooner the bloodsucker is detected, the lower the risk of infection. The parasite carries many diseases:

1. Piroplasmosis reduces the number of red blood cells in the blood, which leads to intoxication of the pet. The temperature rises, lethargy and poor appetite appear. If timely assistance is not provided, the animal may die.
2. Hemobartonellosis is an infectious anemia leading to chronic diseases of internal organs.
3. Theiliriasis affects the circulatory system, which can lead to blockage of blood vessels and the death of the pet.
4. With tularemia, the lymph is affected, intoxication and blood poisoning occur, and death is possible.

All these diseases are difficult to diagnose, and their neglected condition leads to death. Males and female cats that have free access to roam outside are more at risk. Owners of their pets can also bring a dangerous insect on their clothes after a walk in the forest or park.

This video explains how to avoid catching ticks in nature:

How to properly remove a tick from a cat?

It is extremely important to properly remove a tick from a cat. Ideally, you need to arm yourself with special tweezers, because you can crush the reptile with tweezers.

Grab the tick at the neck and gently turn it counterclockwise until it opens its jaws and falls off. No oils, creams or hot needles in the torso! Yes, sometimes this leads to the parasite unclenching its jaws, but more often it, on the contrary, closes them even more tightly and then dies. And only then can it be removed surgically.

Do not pull, tear, tug, wrap with thread, handle with bare hands, or use tweezers.

There are many prohibitions, but in reality everything is not so complicated. If you suspect that you cannot cope on your own, then seek help from a veterinarian. He knows how to properly remove ticks (photo) from cats.

Don't throw away the ticks! They are very tenacious. Collect them in a glass bottle (for example, left over from penicillin or some other drugs, a jar of baby food will do).

Ideally, you should take the extracted parasite to the center of sanitation and epidemiology or to a veterinary laboratory so that it can be studied. If the causative agent of piroplasmosis is found in it (and this is also a parasite that “settles” in red blood cells, destroying them), then it is necessary to begin treatment of the cat affected by the tick as soon as possible. In addition to piroplasmosis, a tick can “give” your pet diseases such as theileriosis, tularemia or hemobartonellosis.

Subcutaneous mites in cats

The subcutaneous mite often affects dogs, but cats also suffer from this parasite. This reptile is called Demodex.

It is worth noting that a person can also become infected with demodicosis through contact with a sick animal! Alopecia, acne, and inflamed red areas appear on the skin. The cat itches, “cries”, worries. Therefore, it is necessary to be extremely careful in “communicating” with stray or “suspicious-looking” animals.

Try not to let your pet go for a walk alone, do not let him “get acquainted” with other animals so that your cat does not become infected.

The incubation period of demodicosis can last for years!

But as soon as the cat’s immunity weakens, this parasite will make itself felt. Most often, these mites (photo) in cats affect the areas around the eyes, ears, and neck. The hair falls out, severe itching begins, the skin turns red and becomes inflamed. It is very difficult to cure a cat from these mites.

In addition to demodicosis, notoedrosis may occur - this disease is caused by scabies mites, which are also localized under the skin. Of course, the symptoms will be similar to the clinical signs of scabies:

• itching;
• hair loss;
• anxiety.

You should be extremely careful, it is better to contact your veterinarian for help.

A tick has been found, what should I do?

Of course, shoot. How? Be careful, not forgetting how dangerous he is.

• If you are going to have close contact with a live tick, you should wear latex gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
• Do not drip oil or other liquid onto the tick - this will speed up the spread of infection throughout the body.
• Try to catch the tick by surprise, do not tug at it, do not poke at it in vain. A disturbed parasite can dig deeper into the skin and release more harmful saliva. If you accidentally come across a tick and disturb it, it is better to give it a few minutes to relax
• If possible, remove the parasite entirely. A damaged tick will “flood” the wound with its pathogenic fluid
• Firmly grasp the tick's head with pointed tweezers as close to the skin as possible and firmly but gently pull out the parasite. Or place a special Tick Twister device (a curved stick with a notch at the end) under the tick and gently twist it clockwise. Using a loop of thread may result in tugging and damage to the parasite.
• If part of the tick's head remains embedded in the skin and cannot be removed, don't worry. The animal’s body itself will reject it as a foreign body (sometimes with a small abscess)
• Treat the wound with an antiseptic, for example, hydrogen peroxide, terramycin spray (do not use iodine or brilliant green)
• It is best to throw the removed tick into a jar of alcohol. This parasite is very tenacious, and with other methods of destruction it can either “come back from the dead” or cause additional harm (for example, when crushed). You should not flush the tick down the toilet or sink, as it has an “air sac” that prevents it from drowning. You don't want a zombie tick wandering around your house, do you?

If you are not sure that you can remove the tick yourself, it is better to consult a veterinarian.

Treating cats for ticks at home

Many owners wonder how to treat a tick on a cat at home, but a competent veterinarian will answer that it is not the tick that needs to be treated, but the animal itself. The main thing is not to resort to self-medication and be patient. It is already clear that depending on the type of tick and other circumstances, the parasite can infect your cat. And it is obvious that it is impossible to treat such diseases at home. In the case of subcutaneous parasites, even specialized treatment of a cat for ticks can take more than one month or even a year. And follow safety precautions so as not to suffer from the parasite yourself.

First aid for a bite

If a tick has embedded itself in a cat, it must be pulled out. You should not try to pull out the parasite with your fingers, as there is a risk of the head being torn off from the body. Removing a tick from a cat is carried out in a special way.

Pre-treat the skin near the embedded pest with medical alcohol or any alcohol tincture. The substance weakens the muscles of the tick, promotes free extraction, and also prevents infection from entering the wound.

The tool used is a special device, tweezers, forceps, syringe, thread. Additionally, you will need a needle. All instruments must be wiped with alcohol. Wear rubber gloves.

• Use tweezers or tongs to pick up the body at the base, scroll clockwise or counterclockwise several times. The tick should be twisted, but not pulled out.
• If tweezers are not available, use thread. Throw a loop over the body at the very base of the head and begin to unscrew.
• The part to which the needle is attached is cut off from the syringe. The edges are lubricated with Vaseline or vegetable oil. Positioned in such a way that the body remains inside. Pull the piston towards you. Under vacuum pressure, the parasite is released.

Further treatment of a tick bite is carried out based on the general symptoms. Be sure to disinfect the wound - fill it with iodine and brilliant green. It is allowed to use products to reduce itching and eliminate local allergies - Fenistil gel, Zvezdochka Balm, aloe vera juice.

After removing the parasite, experts recommend giving the cat an immunoglobulin injection to boost immunity. This measure allows you to soften the course of the disease if an infection or virus gets into the wound, but does not save you from the disease.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the external features of the rabbit dachshund

Once the parasite is removed, it is destroyed. You can get rid of it by burning it or pouring alcohol on it. But it is better to send it to the laboratory for analysis to make sure there is no infection. Only the whole body is subject to analysis; if the head is torn off, such material will not be taken in the laboratory. Place a cotton wool moistened with water into the jar, place the body, and cover with a lid. It should be submitted for analysis within 48 hours.

Anti-tick drops for cats

Medicine in the form of drops is very common, as it is one of the safest and most affordable. It is used not only to combat infection, but also to prevent otodectosis.

The course of treatment begins with the use of an emulsion, the fundamental component of which is Fipronil, Fenthion or Permethrin. The product must be rubbed into the skin of the withers and make sure that the animal cannot lick it off until it is completely absorbed.

To treat ear mites in cats, the following brands of drops are usually used:

1. Celandine (the active ingredients of the drug are Fipronil and Permethrin).
2. Biafar (differs from other drops by the presence of a natural component based on margose, which destroys insects).
3. Leopard (the main component is Permethrin) is low toxic for cats, which explains its popularity.
4. Frontline (the active ingredient of the drug is Fipronil) is effective against ear mites and their carriers, fleas.

Anti-tick collar for cats

But not only drops have the same effect on ticks and fleas: the most popular is a special collar against parasites. And this is explained by its undeniable advantages:

• simplicity and ease of use;
• safety for the cat;
• efficiency of application.

A high-quality flea and tick collar for cats is the best choice for the treatment and prevention of otodecosis. When choosing a product, pay attention to its characteristics:

1. A quality product is always sealed in a foil bag.
2. The collar should be intended only for cats (also separately for kittens and for pregnant or lactating pets).
3. The material should not contain: Permethrin, Amitraz and organic phosphates.

Signs and symptoms of bites

If there is a suspicion that a cat has been bitten by a tick, then you need to pay attention to the behavior of the animal. The pet will itch, meow, and experience discomfort, demonstrating this in every possible way.

I recommend paying attention to whether the cat is trying to influence the area where a potential tick bite may be located. She may be rubbing her back against furniture or impulsively scratching herself with her back paws. My cats begin to itch, worry, get nervous, and meow loudly.

Signs may be as follows:

• suppuration, spots, abrasions remain on the body;
• the cat continues to touch the same place for several days in a row;
• the pet's appetite decreases;
• Body temperature may rise and general health may worsen.

Pests stay on the body of a pet from several hours to several days. Having had enough blood, the insect “falls off”, continuing to parasitize other mammals. If the owners have not seen the embedded ixodid tick, then they need to carefully examine the cat’s body for skin lesions. Parasites leave characteristic spots under the fur that are difficult to confuse with anything else.

The cat's skin becomes red, inflamed, and sometimes covered with scabs.

It is also useful to know which places parasites most often stick to:

• back;
• stomach;
• withers;
• armpits;
• groin;
• the back of the head and the area behind the ears.

Ticks choose those places on the cat's body where they would be difficult to reach. Therefore, you need to carefully examine all the animal’s fur - sometimes pests dig into the most inconspicuous parts of the body. There was a case when I had to pull a tick out of a pet’s elbow.

Prevention

There is no vaccination against ticks! The salvation will be the special collars described above, drops on the withers. Ideally, you should refrain from walking through the forested area during the period of greatest tick activity (April-June, August-October). If there are disadvantaged places in your city, then do not go near them.

Before letting your pet into the house, carefully comb out the entire skin with a fine comb, inspect the belly, chest, paws, and ears. If you have combed out ticks, do not leave them on your doorstep. Otherwise they will stick to someone. On shoes or clothes they will enter someone's home (and maybe yours again).

To prevent your pet from getting ticks, try to avoid contact with other animals. At the slightest suspicion of infection, contact your veterinarian. He will take skin scrapings from the affected areas (in the case of subcutaneous mites) or take a whole skin parasite for examination. Only after a final diagnosis has been made, treatment will be prescribed.