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Ticks on cats can be a more than just a nuisance for feline owners. Although small, as well as feeding off the cat’s blood, they also have the potential to carry potentially serious diseases.
As an owner of a feline, there are three things that you need to know about ticks on cats: what they are, what to look out for and what you should do about it. Equip yourself with the answers to these questions and you will be in a position to prevent problems caused by ticks on your cat.
What are ticks?
Ticks are small parasites that feed on animal blood. Usually more active in spring and early summer, and late summer to early autumn, they are often picked up in long rough grassland or woodland. They attach their claws and feeding tubes into the host animal; in this case this will be your cat. This feeding tube has small ‘teeth’, which dig into the cat’s skin.
What are the symptoms of ticks on cats?
Ticks on cats look like small bean-shaped warts attached to the skin. Under a magnifying glass you may be able to see the tick’s legs. While one tick may go unnoticed it is important to check regularly because as well as the potential for disease, a large number of ticks on your cat may cause it to be anaemic, by feeding on the blood.
What should I do about it?
It is important to check your cat for ticks regularly. When found, ticks need to be removed. Until they are removed, they will continue to suck the blood of your cat and pose a risk of disease.
They can be difficult to remove, and the mouthparts can remain stuck in your cat’s skin, causing more problems. It’s best to seek advice from your vet who can help or advise you on what to do to avoid this happening.
There are also products you can use to help prevent ticks on your cat. For further information, contact your vet or other pet care specialist.
If you are travelling aboard with your cat under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) it is very important to use an appropriate product to prevent ticks on your cat before you travel – again talk to your vet and look at the DEFRA website for advice. There are potentially more serious diseases outside the UK which can be spread through ticks on cats.
Remember too that some of the diseases spread through ticks on cats are also potentially dangerous to people, so it is imperative that you wear gloves when checking and removing ticks from your cat.
Pet Health Info is a leading resource for pet health care information on the internet. For more information about ticks on cats and other subjects, visit www.pethealthinfo.org.uk.