Possible Tick on My Semi-Feral

jodig

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I was petting my semi feral tonight and noticed a bump on her neck. She did not like me to touch it. It was dark outside so I couldn't get a good look. I brought her into the light and to me it looked like it might be a bloated tick. I googled for an image and I still think that is what it is.

She is due for her flea and tick medicine in 3 days so I'm confused. Also, I feel bad because I don't know how to get it off of her. Plus since she is a semi-feral, I would have a difficult time keeping her still. If it was my inside cats I would hold the cat while my husband "operated" but Peanut is a bit scared of him so that's not a possibilty.

So, do I just let it fall off and not worry about it? She is a super healthy outdoor cat. Very plump with a beautiful shiny coat. Will she be OK?
 

ondine

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If its a bloated tick, it will eventually fall off.

But it would appear the flea and tick treatment you are using isn't as effective as it should be.  You might want to reassess the product you are using.  If her fur is thick, the treatment may not be getting down to the skin.

If possible, I would double check tomorrow, during the day when you can see better.  Maybe get a magnifying glass to help?
 

hexiesfriend

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i had a semi feral cat that had this problem twice once in the back of the neck and once the back of the arm. I couldn't dare hold him down to remove either. For the spot behind the neck he couldn't lick I put a glob of petroleum jelly enough to cover the tick. For the one on the back of the arm I used a a couple droppers full of olive oil and doused it. I was afraid he could lick part of the arm so no petroleum jelly. It may be pure coincidence but the ticks were gone the next day. My Tom cat ran from me after each procedure so I'm not sure how long it took for them to fall off.
 
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jodig

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I use feline advantage. She seems to be free of fleas so its strange. I will definitely try and get a better look tomorrow. It looked pretty big. Thank you.

Hexiesfriend, is petroleum jelly a tick deterant? I will try this! Thank you.
 
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msaimee

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My outdoor feral occasionally gets ticks (even when I give him Frontline) , and I am unable to remove them because he does not want to be touched. Also, I don't feel confident that I would know what I'm doing, and if you don't remove the tick properly, the head breaks off and gets lodged in the skin. What I have learned is that most ticks are harmless, and within a few days or weeks will become bloated (they look like large white pimples) and fall off on their own. Unless you know that the ticks in your area have given peoples' pets Lymes disease, I wouldn't worry about it. Most ticks do not carry Lymes. As long as your feral is eating well, he won't get anemia.
 
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jodig

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Thanks everyone for your advice. I was feeling around for it this morning but she got upset and ran from me. It makes me feel bad if it is causing her any pain at all but I think I will leave it be for now. Like I said, she is very healthy and I don't believe at risk for anemia. I think if she was thinner and sickly it would be more cause for concern. I still hate the idea of a gross tick sucking her blood though!
 

msaimee

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Unfortunately, this is the life of outdoor cats. Gross ticks and fleas feed on them, and they also get internal parasites! Medications can help a lot of the time. When my feral had the bloated ticks on his forehead, he did not seem bothered by them--he didn't scratch at them or fuss over it. I think he was wondering why I was upset, and kept sticking my camera in his face to take pictures of them to show my nurse friends who care for feral cats, lol.  
 

hexiesfriend

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The petroleum jelly suffocates them when you glob them,because they can't breathe they release their hold same with the olive oil that's the theory anyway. It's worked for me. The topical meds are supposed to deter or kill the ticks that's the only thing I know that's a deterrent.
 
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jodig

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I was hoping it would have fallen off on it's own by now but it hasn't. So last night I took a syringe and squirted some olive oil on it.

I checked this morning. It was still there and Peanuts hair was greasy.


I just want to rip it off so bad! Though I know that's not advised.
 

msaimee

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I have the feeling that it's bothering you more than it's bothering the cat, lol. Be patient, it will fall off. Isn't her next dose of tick medication due now? Just apply that and kitty will be fine.
 

jcat

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It's not advisable to suffocate ticks with oil, petroleum jelly, or the like, because that can cause them to release additional pathogen-containing saliva. From the National Institutes of Health:
Other methods of removing ticks, such as using fingers, lighted cigarettes, petroleum jelly, or suntan oil, should be avoided. Killing the tick in situ may increase the risk of regurgitation by the tick and the transmission of infectious agents.
The UK's National Health Service repeats that advice.
 

hexiesfriend

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physically removing the tick of course is the best way but when you have a stray that won't sit still for more than a pat on the head you may have to try secondary less desirable methods like oil and petroleum jelly. Hopefully you cat is tick free now. They are gross but they do eventually fall off.
 
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jodig

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It took awhile but it did eventually fall off!
 
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