Animal Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 I know there are a couple of you on here who deal with creatures regularly, so I'll ask for a bit of advice. Just been round to the father-in-law's as he's not too good and noticed his cat was limping. The poor thing is covered in ticks, one on the back of it's neck, one under it's chin and one right on the end of one of the pads on his back leg. What's going to be the best way to get then off him - I did try to burn the one off his foot with my fag, but the little bugger wouldn't shift. This thing is a 200 year old farm cat (seriously - he's about 17) so none of this poncey take him to the vet's nonsense, is there anything you can get to get shut of 'em? I know I've seen them just pulled off dogs, but they're not as sharp and hard to hold still as a cat. I don't know why he hasn't bitten the thing off his foot, tbh, but he's not a cat that spends too much effort grooming. Oh well, suggestions welcome. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Have fun. http://cats.about.com/cs/criseswithcats/ht/removetick.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Ok, firstly don't pull them! If you do, chances are you'll leave the head in there and then it will get infected. Best bet is to use a tick remover, it's like a tweezer/hook that you slide on between the body and head and twist, I think it strangles it and then it let's go. However, I'm guessing you don't have a tick remover? Shame you're not nearer else you could borrow ours. It is possible to burn them of with cigs, but it's difficult to do... as you've discovered... you need to a) hold it on there for ages b) not burn or scare the animal. Especially a cat as they turn into furry ballons with claws at this type of medical care My advice would be to go out first thing tomorrow and get a tick remover. Pet shop or vets will sell them, they are only a few quid. It's a good idea to get a mental picture of the size as you can get diff size removers IIRC. You can also get them out with tweezers but you have to be careful again, get the head not the body! Someone else might know another way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal Posted July 29, 2007 Author Share Posted July 29, 2007 Yay, cheers. That'll be a fun night. And nowhere in those instructions does it mention about wearing thick gloves to hold the cat. Bet he only sees placid cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Nail varnish will sort the blighter out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steviekid Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Best bet is to use a tick remover, it's a hook that you slide on between the body and head and twist, Buy one of these. Your vet should sell you them over the counter for a couple of quid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRALOOPY Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Go to the vet and ask for frontline spray. If the cat is checked once a year for vaccinations you will be able to buy this product over the counter as its a prescription only product. If not then you will need a consultation to buy the product. The spray should then be used every three months for prevention of flees and will kill tick within 24/48 hours of application andthe ticks should just drop off.. Full instructions are on the bottle. hope this helps as the mrs is a vet nurse (or was) DO NOT PULL OR BURN OFF TICKS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steviekid Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Go to the vet and ask for frontline spray. The spray should then be used every three months for prevention of flees and will kill tick within 24/48 hours of application andthe ticks should just drop off.. Although it is licenced for ticks, frontline is pretty crap against them. If you're using it for ticks you're going to have to apply it monthly to have any hope of success. Unfortunately a newer spot on for ticks called Advantix which is very good for dogs, is toxic to cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seb Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Here you go, O'Tom Tick tool http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_accessories_outdoor/flea_and_tick_protection/flea_tick_spray/29986 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 When I had one on my shoulder I bit it out. I've still got the scar after 20 years. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 put some vinegard on them, they will loose grip and you can take them off easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CupraA Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Basically you need to turn the tick anti-clockwise and literally screw it out. I presume thats what the removal tool is doing. You could manage it with tweezers? Either way the main thing is to get its head out with out traumatising it too much as it will vomit into the cat - which isn't good. Good luck in holding it still! Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edd_t Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 i suddenly feel all itchy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 When I had one on my shoulder I bit it out. I've still got the scar after 20 years. HTH There's always one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMiFFAD Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 On the subject of holding the "balloon with claws" - welding gloves work a charm They can get their claws into them so think they are getting somewhere, but their not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 I always find that cats (evil) go for peoples eyes, not their hands... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 There's always one I was serious. I pulled at the little bugger but only the body came away, leaving the head still attached. As it was on the top of my shoulder I couldn't really get at it so I used my teeth to bite the skin away all round it instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtwinturbo Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 I used a red hot unwound paper clip to burn one off me before - sort of stabbed it in the back with it. Once it had been burnt it sort of let go and could be easily removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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