Is this a tick stuck in my cat?

[Alapeno]

As the title really. Some of you must have dealt with these things before.

Have been searching Google but the images it brings up seem to show something that's a bit more bulbous. This thing is white and pretty flat and properly stuck in there. I was prodding it and it doesn't seem to be causing him any bother.

Any ideas? And if it is a tick, what's the best way of getting rid of it without causing too much discomfort?

[928]

Quite likely a tick, they're not always bloated.

Get a O'Tom Tick Twister or similar tool (any vet/pet shop), hook under and twirl gently until it releases. Legs and mouth parts should visible then (tick, although the cat may not be that impressed).

[NordicCrankShaft]

Looks like a tick. Don't they get bulbous the longer they've been feeding?

I took our 1 year old cat to the vet to have it done, as I've never done it before and didn't want to mess it up, she was due a check up anyway so wasn't charged for it.

[Alapeno]

Cheers both. It looks like it might be dead so the vet has said best to let them have a look at it as it can break up easily if it’s been there a while. Now the trauma of getting him in the cat box.

[LordGrover]

Alapeno said:

Cheers both. It looks like it might be dead so the vet has said best to let them have a look at it as it can break up easily if it’s been there a while. Now the trauma of getting him in the cat box.

Always worth a repeat... click.

[z4RRSchris]

just pull it out, or put a fag close to it and burn the fker.

[Alapeno]

LordGrover said:

Always worth a repeat... click.

Amazing, I'd forgotten about this.

[bexVN]

z4RRSchris said:

just pull it out, or put a fag close to it and burn the fker.

Absolutely do not do this.

Pull will likely leave head behind. cigarette near it will likely burn the cat increase the risk of the tick releasing toxins into the bloodstream. (which is also why why don't advise alcohol or vaseline anymore as a method of killing them.

[z4RRSchris]

I have done this hundreds of times and its fine. takeing your cat to the vet to have a small tick removed you are all mental.

[Shaw Tarse]

z4RRSchris said:

I have done this hundreds of times and its fine. takeing your cat to the vet to have a small tick removed you are all mental.

I'll take Bex's advice over yours.

[Brads67]

Do not take it to the vet! are you crazy ?

Buy a small O`tom and remove it. It looks dead ? lol, yeh right, it`s only a tick.

I`ve removed hundreds from my dogs and ferrets over the years and never had an issue.

Your vet is simply going to sting you 80 quid to pull out a tick and oooh! and ahhh! at it for 5 minutes before saying " I`m pretty sure it`s fine but bring it back in a week for a follow up "

[JQ]

LordGrover said:

Always worth a repeat... click.

FFS a warning would have been nice - anyone else thinking of clicking on the link, it's most definitely NSFW - I've literally spat my coffee everywhere and am laughing out loud with everyone in the office looking at me. Had to read it in short bursts in the end as I kept giggling.

Brilliant, not seen that one before.

[bexVN]

Brads67 said:

Do not take it to the vet! are you crazy ?

Buy a small O`tom and remove it. It looks dead ? lol, yeh right, it`s only a tick.

I`ve removed hundreds from my dogs and ferrets over the years and never had an issue.

Your vet is simply going to sting you 80 quid to pull out a tick and oooh! and ahhh! at it for 5 minutes before saying " I`m pretty sure it`s fine but bring it back in a week for a follow up "

Well try £8.00 or in my previous practice we did it for free and showed owners how they could do it but yes I suppose that is close to £80.00.

Only offer to come back if owners are worried they have got infected (it does happen). Also useful for owners who can't keep their cats still esp when the tick is on the eyelid or in the groin etc (same for dogs)

Let's not make people feel incompetent just because some of us are happy to do something others are not.

Edited by bexVN on Thursday 31st May 11:24

[Brads67]

Fair enough Bex, but I`m sure you are aware of my views on my vet experiences.

[Alapeno]

So it wasn't a tick in the end.

My male cat has been lactating and that is calcified milk!

Yes the Vet stung me for a consultation fee but warned me to keep an eye on him and see if it continues as there can be a risk of breast cancer. Apparently very rare but not unheard of.

[mids]

Glad you're sorted OP. That's quite an interesting result!

bexVN said:

Let's not make people feel incompetent just because some of us are happy to do something others are not.

It must be so annoying working at a vets having to put up with the online bashing from all of the 'experts' who think they know better. I get wound up enough by it and have nothing to do with the profession. I had to leave both raw feeding groups I joined on facebook due to the attitudes of so many members regarding vets. As soon as anyone mentioned the subject, it's a barrage of 'they don't get trained in nutrition' or 'they're all out to make money from dog food manufacturers' and then they go and offer their advice based on god knows what.

My block list on facebook was getting so large it was easier to leave the group :/

[bexVN]

Alapeno said:

So it wasn't a tick in the end.

My male cat has been lactating and that is calcified milk!

Yes the Vet stung me for a consultation fee but warned me to keep an eye on him and see if it continues as there can be a risk of breast cancer. Apparently very rare but not unheard of.

Wow, that is unusual. Not something I have heard of if I'm honest. Good job you did get it checked and didn't try to remove it!!

I was going to suggest that sometimes warts and skin tags get mistaken for ticks so this is another reason to get them checked if you aren't sure, I am glad you did anyway.

[bexVN]

mids said:

Glad you're sorted OP. That's quite an interesting result!

bexVN said:

Let's not make people feel incompetent just because some of us are happy to do something others are not.

It must be so annoying working at a vets having to put up with the online bashing from all of the 'experts' who think they know better. I get wound up enough by it and have nothing to do with the profession. I had to leave both raw feeding groups I joined on facebook due to the attitudes of so many members regarding vets. As soon as anyone mentioned the subject, it's a barrage of 'they don't get trained in nutrition' or 'they're all out to make money from dog food manufacturers' and then they go and offer their advice based on god knows what.

My block list on facebook was getting so large it was easier to leave the group :/

I try not to let it get to me but it does, quite a lot

Raw feeding is definitely a hot topic. I am not against it but I refuse to make people feel guilty if they choose not to use it. There are many reasons why they choose not to.

I understand that a bad experience can leave an owner bitter (I would be as well) but when we all get tarred it becomes depressing and one of the reasons I want to leave the profession.

[Brads67]

Have to admit I`m with you on raw feeding.
Get the whole thing, but even as a working lurcher owner I still don`t do it.