Is there a Lyme disease vaccine for cats?

dekuscrub3

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My fiancée and I recently moved to Connecticut, which is like the tick capital of the world. I pulled a couple of the bugs off my cat Max the other day. Is there any sort of vaccine or preventative measures I should take for Lyme disease (which I've heard rarely effects cats) or anything else? Where we lived before didn't really have ticks so the vet might not have thought it necessary.
 

stephanietx

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There's not a vaccine for it, but you can apply monthly flea & tick medicine.
 
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dekuscrub3

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Thanks! Is there any chance you can link to it? Like is it over the counter/under the counter? Is it something you apply after they get ticks or before? Thank you!
 

lilina

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In the UK flea/tick repellent is an over the counter medicine, although I am sure you can get it from vets too. As far as I am aware it should repel fleas/ticks for around 8-12 weeks from application, so you would have to apply it prior to letting the cat out.

My mother in law brought me the stuff she used on her cat who unfortunately died of cancer recently. It's called Bob Martin Flea and Tick Spot On. I haven't used it on my kitten and I am not sure if I will due to the very adverse reviews this item has. I am planning to do some more research at some point and see if I can find a more cat friendly option.

Or maybe someone here has a better alternative to suggest?
 

LTS3

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Thanks! Is there any chance you can link to it? Like is it over the counter/under the counter? Is it something you apply after they get ticks or before? Thank you!
You can buy OTC flea / tick medicines or prescription ones from the vet (or from a pet store or online site with a vet prescription). Personally, I would go with a prescription product. Some brands of OTC medicines aren't effective and are even downright harmful to cats.

Frontline Plus for cats is one to ask the vet about. I believe it's a monthly topical application.
 
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dekuscrub3

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Thanks! What do these medications do? Are they worth getting? I'm not that concerned with Max getting ticks and me having to pull them off. I'm more concerned with what diseases, if any, they could pass along to him. Because I had a dog in my teens who died of Lyme disease.
 

LTS3

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Thanks! What do these medications do? Are they worth getting?
These medicines typically work by interrupting the life cycle of a flea or tick or other parasite. It may work on eggs or larvae, others may work in rendering adults infertile.

IMO, it's worth getting preventative flea, tick, and other medicines to keep your pet healthy. Even indoor cats should get a preventative.

Heartworm preventative is another one to consider. Heartgard is one brand.

Talk to your vet about what preventatives would be best for your cat.
 
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dekuscrub3

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Thanks! I talked to someone over the phone at my vet and she recommended Frontline which I guess is over the counter.
 
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