Pesky Parasites- Ticks
The five main parasites that affect cats are ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, mites, and lice.
Although there are over 300 species of hard and soft-shell ticks, only the lone star tick, the american dog tick, the black-legged tick, and the spinose tick go after cats. All stages of ticks except the egg are blood feeders. Even though most ticks prefer three different host for their three different stages, the lone star tick feeds on the cat in all stages. The average life of a tick is three years.
When searching your cat for a tick, the main area should be the face because of the thinner, warmer extremities that ticks lover, such as the nose and ears. You should search daily, because a tick must be feeding for longer than 24 hours to transmit Lyme Disease. An embedded tick resembles a small, round bead. If a tick is found, first apply a liquid that has a large percentage of alcohol in it. Then, with tweezers, get at close as is possible to the head of the tick and pull it out. Make sure the whole tick has been removed to prevent infection.
Although there are over 300 species of hard and soft-shell ticks, only the lone star tick, the american dog tick, the black-legged tick, and the spinose tick go after cats. All stages of ticks except the egg are blood feeders. Even though most ticks prefer three different host for their three different stages, the lone star tick feeds on the cat in all stages. The average life of a tick is three years.
When searching your cat for a tick, the main area should be the face because of the thinner, warmer extremities that ticks lover, such as the nose and ears. You should search daily, because a tick must be feeding for longer than 24 hours to transmit Lyme Disease. An embedded tick resembles a small, round bead. If a tick is found, first apply a liquid that has a large percentage of alcohol in it. Then, with tweezers, get at close as is possible to the head of the tick and pull it out. Make sure the whole tick has been removed to prevent infection.
Fleas
Although several different species of fleas attack cats, the main one is the ordinary cat flea. Even though fleas do well in warm, moist conditions, they can also survive in cold climates. Adult fleas have three pairs of legs, that can be ready to spring up to 200 times its own height at anytime. If a flea is well fed, it can survive up to 100 days.
Although you may not see any fleas on your cat, you may find little flecks of flea dirt in the cat's fur. When trying to kill fleas, killing adult fleas doesn't get rid of the eggs that have been lain. Veterinarians suggest a year round preventive treatment. Most people apply a topical treatment between the shoulder blades monthly to kill all stages of the flea. These treatments can be found at most major supermarkets.
Although you may not see any fleas on your cat, you may find little flecks of flea dirt in the cat's fur. When trying to kill fleas, killing adult fleas doesn't get rid of the eggs that have been lain. Veterinarians suggest a year round preventive treatment. Most people apply a topical treatment between the shoulder blades monthly to kill all stages of the flea. These treatments can be found at most major supermarkets.
Mosquitoes
Seventy of the one hundred sixty mosquito species in the U.S. is capable of transmitting heartworm disease. While only female mosquitoes bite, this is surely enough. Mosquito eggs can survive some of the harshest weather condition, while adult mosquitoes are active at 60 degrees and above. Adult female mosquitoes live an average of three weeks.
To help protect you and your cat against mosquitoes, don't let water collect. Warm, humid conditions are what mosquitoes like best.
To help protect you and your cat against mosquitoes, don't let water collect. Warm, humid conditions are what mosquitoes like best.
Mites
Mites are extremely tiny invertebrates that can survive many harsh weather conditions or climates. There are an estimated 48,200 species of mites that have been discovered. They can cause mange and otitis in cats. Mange is when any amount of hair is missing and the skin is flaky, bald, or scaly due to mites. Otitis, often caused by ear mites, is when the ear canal becomes irritated and inflamed. The cat will repeatedly scratch his ear(s) and shake his head to try to rid himself of the annoyance, and dark brown wax will be seen in the ear canal.
Since mites are microscopic, it is impossible to see them. The only way to know if you cat is being infested by them is through either the symptoms of mange or otitis, or by your veterinarian finding them. Mites from mange are treated according to what species they are. Ear mites can by treated by ear drops available from your vet.
Since mites are microscopic, it is impossible to see them. The only way to know if you cat is being infested by them is through either the symptoms of mange or otitis, or by your veterinarian finding them. Mites from mange are treated according to what species they are. Ear mites can by treated by ear drops available from your vet.
Lice
Lice (singular: louse) are parasites that affect both cats and human. They lay eggs called nits that stick onto the hair of its host. Lice are not commonly seen on cats unless it is a scraggly stray.
If your cat happens to contract lice, the most obvious way of knowing your cat has lice is by the nits on your cat's fur. There are several liquid or powdered insecticides that can be prescribed by your veterinarian.
If your cat happens to contract lice, the most obvious way of knowing your cat has lice is by the nits on your cat's fur. There are several liquid or powdered insecticides that can be prescribed by your veterinarian.
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