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What Are the Dangers of Leaving the Head of a Tick in a Cat?

Removing a tick from your cat is a daunting task. Ticks are tricky creatures, and there are several common misconceptions on removing them. Never use fire or attempt to suffocate them. All you need are tweezers. You should try to pull the tick out by the head. But it is very easy to accidentally pull the body off and leave the head still attached. Ticks can be dangerous to your pets, so try to make an appointment with your veterinarian.

  1. Background Information

    • Ticks are not insects; they are part of the Acarina order. Mosquitoes and ticks are the biggest worries because they are highly capable of spreading diseases. They feed on blood and find their prey through heat sensors. Ticks attach themselves to their prey by biting it. They have dagger-like pinchers that they insert and lock into the flesh.

    Dangers

    • If the head of the tick is still attached to your cat try not to worry. Your cat's immune system will fight against the tick by treating it as an infection. Your cat should develop an abscess. But you do not want the germs and bacteria of the tick to be released into your pet's system, which will put them at a higher risk of contacting a disease. So take your pet to your local veterinarian as soon as possible. The veterinarian will have tools that can be used to extract the remaining part of the tick.

    Disease

    • Once you are at your veterinarian's clinic, your cat can be screened for any diseases commonly spread through ticks. It is important that you discuss future preventative methods as well. The ASPCA lists these as common diseases spread by ticks: Babesia, Cytauxzoonosis and Mycoplasma.

    Prevention

    • Most products that are designed for flea prevention also prevent ticks. Make sure to carefully read the labels of topical treatments and flea collars. Ensure that you never use treatments for dogs on cats; those products can be fatal to cats. Check your cat's fur often, running your hand through it. Ticks are so large they can be clearly visible so thoroughly check your pet's coat, especially if they are long-haired varieties. Pay special attention to the ears, head, and paws.

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