It is simply necessary to help a pet
You can see what a tick looks like on a cat in a photo on the Internet. Many owners believe that they are not dangerous. But that's not true. Insects are often carriers of heavy and dangerous diseases. They can also penetrate the ears and under the skin, making them very difficult to detect. Ticks can spread to other animals and people.
A furry pet can catch the infection in different ways:
When infected, the pet’s general health and behavior changes greatly. The disease can be suspected by a number of symptoms:
- Anxiety - the cat constantly shakes its head, meows loudly, clings to the owner’s feet;
- Rubbing the ears against objects and constantly scratching them is how the cat tries to relieve the itching.
- Discharge of pus from the ears, formation of brown crusts.
Ear mites on a cat
If no measures are taken, symptoms worsen over time, and inflammation affects the middle and inner ear, after which it switches to meninges. The animal becomes depressed, its ear temperature rises, and its head constantly tilts towards the damaged ear. Seizures are possible, which can cause the cat to die. To prevent all these negative consequences, it is necessary, if any incomprehensible symptoms are detected, to show your pet to a veterinarian and undergo necessary treatment. First you need to thoroughly clean the ears and rinse them antibacterial agents. Then drop liquid medicine inside, using a syringe equipped with a rubber tube. As a rule, tick drops are used for therapy. They must be administered strictly in the prescribed dosage, since the product contains a strong poison. Otherwise, you can worsen your pet’s well-being and harm its health. After the procedure, you need to gently massage your ear.
The use of oils, creams or needles is unacceptable. With such an impact, the pest closes its jaws even more tightly and then dies. After this, it can only be removed through surgery. Do not pull, tear, tug at the insect, wrap it with thread, etc. If you doubt your abilities, go to the veterinarian. He only knows how to remove ticks from cats.
Ixodid tick
Place them in an airtight container and take them to the appropriate facility for analysis. If the causative agent of piroplasmosis is detected, it is necessary to urgently treat the affected animal.
Subcutaneous tick on an animal
It is also possible to develop notoedrosis - this is caused by scabies mites, which are located under the skin. Symptoms are similar to clinical picture scabies: hair loss, restless behavior. If any of these appear, you need to show your pet to a specialist.
Medicine in liquid form has become widespread, as it is considered one of the most harmless. It is used not only for treatment, but also as a preventive measure. The course begins with an emulsion, the main ingredient of which is Fipronil, Permethrin or Fenthion. The product is rubbed into the skin of the withers and left until completely absorbed. In this case, you need to make sure that the animal does not lick it off. The following drops are used to kill ticks:
Some owners choose sprays. They are easy to apply and give quick results. But they cannot be used often - it is harmful for both the pet and the person.
Drops Bars for cats
There are also powders - a safe and simple remedy. Some of them are suitable even for small kittens. The only negative is that insecticide particles are spread throughout the apartment, which can cause allergies.
- simplicity and ease of use;
- safety for the animal;
- high efficiency.
Anti-tick and flea collar
A high-quality flea and tick collar is the optimal solution for the treatment of dangerous diseases and their prevention. When choosing, pay attention to the operational parameters of the product. A good product is always sealed in a foil pouch, it should be intended for cats only, and contain Permethrin, Amitraz and organic phosphates.
Maintain animal hygiene
Radical methods
If subcutaneous mite the cat is in advanced condition, signs such as hair loss, lack of appetite, decreased activity are observed, drastic measures are needed. It's best to go to veterinary clinic. If this is not possible, buy anti-tick medicine at a pet pharmacy.
Prevention
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against ticks. To avoid infection, use special collars or drops on the withers. Also, follow these simple guidelines.
Hello! Summer is coming, many cats will go to the countryside, to the countryside, to nature. And, of course, we, loving owners, must worry about protecting our pets. My father’s Maine Coon cat, Asenka, comes to our dacha every summer. For those interested, here is a review: Asenka. She is already 8 years old and has been sterilized for a long time. For clarity, here is a photo of her with kittens:
What freedom she has there, how much joy! He catches mice, moles, lizards, and always brings them home alive, and most often to the bed of the person he loves most (i.e., me), and perceives my squeal as a manifestation of delight! We catch frightened animals and release them; I cannot kill.
In short, we tried several types of collars, but the best were the collars from Beaphar. I've been buying them for three years now. We take Asenka to the dacha at the end of May, and bring her back at the end of August, i.e. The collar is more than enough for three months.
This year we decided to take my mother’s cat Kuzma to nature, I found him last summer as a small sick kitten, now he is a beautiful cat, already neutered, so you can safely take him too. Here he is, our Kuzma:
I bought two collars in advance, one red, the other blue, each costing 230 rubles. IN cardboard box There are instructions and the collar itself, hermetically sealed.
Here are photos of the packaging and information:
In principle, brief, but the most important and necessary information is placed on the packaging, and the instructions on one side describe everything in great detail, on the other side there is information about collars, sprays, shampoos, etc. :
As I learned, the Beaphar line of collars includes diazinon-based collars, TCVP-based collars, a biologically active Bio-Band collar and a new generation MULTI-X collar. My collars are based on diazinon, I was thinking about buying a new product, but I decided that, as they say, “good is not a good thing,” and I bought an old, proven package.
The collar is designed both to destroy various small dirty tricks in the form of fleas, ticks, lice and lice, and to protect against their attacks on the cat.
The packaging states that
Constantly wearing a collar protects the animal from fleas and ticks for at least 6 months.
Our cat has never been outdoors for so long, but three months of action is excellent! Not a single tick or flea was found during the entire summer (and there were already several of them).
Frankly speaking, you don’t want to open the sealed packaging in advance, but believe me, the collar will look exactly as it does on the packaging:
I always bought a red collar for Asenka, but for Kuzenka I decided to buy a blue one.
Thank you for your attention to the review! Health to you and your pets!
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A here are some more reviews
Veterinary practice shows that ear mites in cats can only appear through contact with other animals on the street. The disease is transmitted from the mother to the kittens. There is a high risk of infection for those animals whose owners often turn to specialized hotels. This is due to the fact that they are kept in group rooms there. It is this factor that does not guarantee that there will not be an infected animal among them.
Ear mites feel equally comfortable on cats of any breed, regardless of the size of their fur and their preferred habitat.
Diagnostics
The difference is that during notohedrosis the outer side is affected. auricle animals. Therefore, the animal, feeling severe itching begins to literally tear apart the affected area, resulting in severe scratching. If, when infected with otodectosis, an animal may not show its disease in any way for several years, then notoedrosis will be visible immediately due to the fact that the sick animal will rip its ears until they bleed.
A cat can become infected with notoedrosis not only through contact with a sick animal (cats, dogs and rodents are carriers), but also through interaction with common objects - a bowl, bedding, etc. This disease is also dangerous for humans; it goes away within a month even without drug treatment .
Clinical picture
At the initial stage, the disease can be cured quite easily, without complications such as sepsis. Late appointment medicines leads to the fact that pathogenic bacteria settle at the site of scratching, causing suppuration.
- Damage occurs next blood vessels which become overflowing with blood, swelling and redness of the tissue occurs.
- Moist discharge - exudate - is observed on damaged skin.
- As a result of the death of skin cells and the suspension of the regeneration process, dark brown scabs are formed.
- In some cases, putrefactive microflora develops.
- Scabs and crusts form plugs that impair the animal’s hearing.
Main complication ear mite is damage, rupture or inflammation of the eardrum.
Observe your pet's behavior carefully. And if signs of bow-headedness begin to appear (an animal with its head turned 90-120°), you should take emergency measures. The pathological process negatively affects the brain and can lead to death.
How to treat a pet
If you choose the right medicine for ear mites in cats, then it is possible to heal the animal even in the most advanced cases. When starting treatment, you should understand that ticks lay up to 5 eggs per day, despite the fact that the development of an individual can last 21 days.
The minimum course of treatment is 30-35 days, during which it is possible to eliminate not only adults, but also larvae.
In order for ear mites in cats to cease to exist, the following rules should be followed during treatment:
- maintaining animal hygiene - try to isolate it from other cats or dogs;
- if the treatment procedure takes place at home, then you need to strictly follow the recommendations of the veterinarian, who will prescribe medications for a successful recovery;
- You should thoroughly clean your ears of plaque. To do this, use a cotton swab, which will be soaked in hydrogen peroxide; a special disinfectant lotion is allowed;
- for severe scratching, a special collar should be used;
- You can relieve itching with the help of special antihistamines;
- To maintain the animal, you should create comfortable and calm conditions for it.
Carefully study the section with side effect to eliminate the risk of further injury to the animal.
VIDEO: How to clean a cat’s ears and treat otodectosis
Which drugs are most effective?
A remedy for ear mites in cats, like ear drops, helps to achieve great success. Thanks to the large assortment, it is possible to effectively treat both kittens and pregnant cats.
Insecticidal injections are prohibited for kittens under 6 months of age and pregnant cats.
Preparations such as drops applied to the withers can be successfully used. This makes it possible to fight against those ticks that have moved onto the body.
The following types of drops are used:
- "Decta Forte" approximate cost 95 rubles;
- "Otovedin" - more a budget option at a price of 35-40 rubles;
- "Aurikan" is one of the most effective, but also expensive - 450 rubles.
To treat fungus you can use:
- “Otibiovet” - at a price of 135 rubles;
- "Oricin" is an effective, but more expensive drug - 470 rubles.
Thanks to sprays, it is possible to carry out a full treatment not only of the cat’s entire body, but also of its bedding, which reduces the percentage of chances reinfection, already through personal items.
Of the sprays, pay attention to “Akaromectin”, the price of which will fluctuate between 75-85 rubles.
In a veterinary pharmacy you should pay attention to Aversectin ointment at a price of 35-50 rubles
To treat the disease on early stage Only narrow-spectrum anti-mite ear drops for cats are prescribed.
Should be used in mandatory medications, strengthening and supporting the immune system. This will make it easier for the animal to tolerate the disease itself, and also help prevent complications.
VIDEO: Ear mites in a cat
The cat scratches the damaged surface, ichor comes out, clogs ear canal crusts that look like ground coffee. Favorable conditions are created for the development of conditionally pathogenic fungi and bacteria.
To treat otodectosis, external agents are required that contain acaricidal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory components that are safe for cats. In order for the medications to work, the ear canal is cleaned, freeing the pathological surface from deposits.
Cleaning ears for otodectosis
To clean the ear canal, prepare cotton buds, a specialized product for softening dried ear discharge and a towel for fixation. Cats do not tolerate violence, so the operator cleaning ears must take care of his own safety.
If the instructions for use of the drug stipulate that it should be used as a means to soften crusts, no additional means will be required. The effectiveness of treatment is determined by the presence of a mite in a skin scraping in combination with clinical symptoms. One medication is chosen for treatment. It is prohibited to use two medications containing acaricides. Some drugs have no contraindications for use. But this does not mean that they are completely harmless: very rarely, some cats have a hypersensitive reaction to the components of the drugs.
List of drugs
The following drugs are used dosage forms:
- Ointment (gel, liniment):
- Drops:
- Aurikan.
- Amitrazine.
- Ectodex.
- Amit.
- Dana.
- Mycodemocid.
- Acaricidal emulsions, aerosols:
- Ivermec spray.
- Unoiled.
Active components- acaricide Ivermectin, analgesic and wound healing agent. Both hearing organs are treated, even if only one is affected, 1…2 times, duplicating them after 5…7 days. Contraindicated for breeds sensitive to Ivermectin, convalescent and malnourished cats.
Active components - acaricide, analgesic, antimicrobial agent, auxiliary wound healing substances. Both channels are processed 1...2 times, duplicating, after 5...7 days. Contraindicated in kittens up to 2 weeks old, convalescent, and sick.
Aversectin ointment
Active component - Aversectin. To clean the ear from crusts, additional means are needed - lotions or Perhydrol. The wool is cut. Apply the ointment, fold the shell in half, and massage the base of the ear. Contraindicated for breeds sensitive to Aversectin, kittens under 2 months old, lactation, convalescent, and sick.
Ear drops. Intended for advanced cases, with the addition of secondary microflora. Contains antimycotic and antimicrobial components, a steroidal antiphlogistic agent. Buried daily for 14 days. Contraindicated in case of perforation of the tympanic membrane.
Aurikan
Ear drops. Contains Diazinon (organophosphorus acaricide), antiseptic, analgesic, synthetic glucocorticoid antiphlogistic agent. The first week the drug is instilled daily, the next three - every 3 days.
Amitrazine
Ear drops. The active ingredients are the acaricide Amitraz and Dimexide, which have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The ear is folded and massaged. Treatments are repeated every other week until symptoms disappear.
Ectodex
Ear drops based on Propolis and Sulfur. Preliminary cleaning of the ear canal from secretions is required. Treatment consists of two or three treatments every 5...7 days. The medicine is contraindicated in pregnant women, lactating women, and those who have not reached one month old animals. Do not use the drug if the integrity of the drum membrane is damaged.
Ear drops. The main active ingredients are the acaricide Permethrin, the immunostimulant Anadin, and the antiseptic Gramicidin. Preliminary cleaning of the ears is carried out with the same drug used for treatment. The hearing organs are massaged after instillation of the medicine. Therapy lasts 3...7 days. If the use of Anandin is missed once, the course of treatment is resumed.
If the cat shakes its head, prevent droplets from splashing with restraint. Contraindication - violation of the integrity of the tympanic membrane.
Amit
Ear drops consisting of Amitraz and Prednisolone. The crusts are soaked with a swab soaked in Amit. Ears are treated twice a day. The course of treatment is 3...5 days. If a second infection occurs, change the drug. Contraindications: gestation, lactation, age less than 2 months.
Ear drops consisting of Amitraz, Propolis and Dexamethasone. Apply once, with an interval of 5...7 days. Number of treatments 2…3. Contraindications: gestation, lactation, age less than a month.
Dana
Drops in the form of pipettes. The main component is the organophosphate disinfestant Diazinon.
After instilling the medicine, the ears are massaged. A week later, the treatment is duplicated. The medicine should not be used by pregnant or lactating animals, as well as animals under 10 weeks of age.
Mycodemocid
Drops. Consist of Sea buckthorn oil, Chlorophos, detergent Isopropyl alcohol. Treat once and repeat 7 days later if necessary. Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating animals, young animals under 10 weeks of age.
Ivermek-spray
Analogue of Ivermek-gel. Inject into the ears twice with an interval of 3...5 days. Put on the Elizabethan collar until the surface of the ear dries to avoid licking. Animals that have not reached three months The drug is not prescribed to lactating, gestational, or hypersensitive cats of breeds that are hypersensitive to Ivermectin.
Active substance- Ivermectin. Moisten the affected area generously. The treatment is repeated after 8…10 days. Requires 3...4 injections. Before the wetted surface dries, put on the Elizabethan collar. Contraindicated in pregnant, lactating and under-one-month-old animals.
Neostomazan
An emulsion that is a means of killing insects. The contents of the ampoule (1 ml) are dissolved in 0.2...0.4 l of water and the ear canal is generously moistened. A week later, the procedure is repeated.
During the warm season, when ticks are in full swing, and in veterinary hospitals there are queues of animals bitten by ticks, their responsible owners begin to become interested in the issue of protecting cats, even if they do not leave their homes, and look for a suitable remedy for ticks.
Fortunately, enough anti-tick products have been developed specifically for cats; you just need to choose the right one, taking into account the characteristics of a particular meowing pet.
- drops for application to the withers area;
- spray for wool treatment;
- a collar impregnated with insecticide for constant wear.
Each drug has its own purpose and limitations for use. For example, not all products are suitable for kittens, nursing, elderly or weakened cats.
It is also important to choose correct dosage, otherwise, if it is insufficient, the protective effect will be insignificant, and if it increases, signs of pet poisoning may appear.
Therefore, before purchasing a product to protect your cat from ticks, ask your veterinarian about the range of capabilities of each of them and settle on the one that is suitable for your pet.
Important! Before using the chosen drug, read the instructions and try to follow them in order to avoid negative consequences for yourself and your cat!
Drops for cats against ticks
The main thing is to spread the fur well so that active substance got directly on the skin, then it will work correctly and fully, exterminating ticks that have fallen on the pet.
As a rule, anti-tick drops for cats usually contain acaricides and insecticides in their original composition, but can also be developed based on plant components - natural killers of bloodsuckers. The latter can be used with virtually no restrictions on the age and condition of the cat.
Popular and high-quality drops, which have demonstrated excellent protective results in practice, are always recommended by veterinarians first.
Important! During the season of special tick activity, it is better not to interrupt the series of drop treatments, but to repeat them monthly, otherwise the animal may become vulnerable just at the moment of a tick bite!
Sprays to protect cats from ticks
The only drawback that such a drug has is short term protective effect not exceeding 2 weeks. But one cylinder, which is expensive for the owner, is enough for a couple of dozen treatments, that is, for at least 2 seasons.
Here the leaders in the production of sprays are foreign famous brands Sentry, Bayer, Frontline. Sprays are produced in aerosol cans or in containers with a spray bottle.
- They are easy to use - just spray the product from a distance of 25 - 30 cm from the fur against its growth, avoiding contact with the muzzle, mucous membranes, genitals, eyes and ears. The wool needs to be lifted and the liquid allowed to wet it thoroughly so that the substance gets onto the skin. The animal must not be wiped! You can dry the fur with a hairdryer or let it dry naturally.
- Small kittens under 3 months of age are not usually treated with sprays. As for adult animals with special needs, then you need to consult a veterinarian. Some sprays can be sprayed on sick, weakened or elderly cats.
- But the owner who carries out the treatment requires some precautions - do not inhale the drug and avoid getting the substance into the eyes and mouth.
- A wet pet will have to be removed from children or other animals living in the family while it dries.
Important! If there is an aquarium in the house, then spraying cannot be done in this room - all the fish will die! This also applies to birds!
Collars to protect cats from tick bites
Collars are produced by many companies, and according to reviews from veterinarians, they work very effectively in accordance with their declared properties. Such a collar can completely protect an ordinary city and even rural cat. The only exceptions will be animals located in areas where ticks are rampant.
put on safety collar It’s quite simple, the main thing is to follow simple rules and precautions.
- Open the package before putting it on to prevent the substances from escaping.
- Adjust the size so that the pet is comfortable, and at the same time so that the collar does not dangle around the neck. It is optimal to leave 1 finger of slack, cut off the rest of the tape and discard.
- If there are other pets or small children in the house, then you should not allow anyone to chew, lick or simply taste the collar - this can lead to poisoning!
- Since this is contact protection, at first it is better to check the cat’s neck to see if there is any irritation. If there are warning signs- the collar should be removed, it means it does not suit the cat.
Important! In order for your pet to be constantly protected, the collar must be changed on time - its active period is indicated on the packaging.
Why do cats need tick prevention?
More than once the opinion has been heard that cats are not afraid of tick attacks, especially single ones. This is true exclusively for piroplasmosis, which really does not threaten cats to the same extent as dogs and farm livestock.
Otherwise, cats should beware of ticks in all other respects negative consequences, because piroplasmosis is not the only one of them.
Completely domestic cats that do not practice self-walking and spend their entire cat life within the confines of a human home or apartment are not at all immune from tick attacks.
Bloodsuckers of the ixodid family, in addition to piroplasmosis, which does not threaten cats, actually transmit a lot of vector-borne diseases - about 200 forms! Ticks are carriers and distributors of various pathogens, which, when they pierce the skin layer with tick saliva, enter the victim’s body:
In addition to these misfortunes, ixodid bloodsuckers are dangerous for cats by transmitting dermatobiasis - a formidable infection caused by the penetration of gadfly larvae under the skin and causing severe suppuration. Any antibiotic is powerless against such subcutaneous abscesses - the pathogen is removed only surgically, cutting out along with the infiltrate. And then numerous, difficult to heal cuts remain along with scars that disfigure the pet.
But even with piroplasmosis, not everything is smooth for cats! IN last years There are known facts of registration of cats in which Babesia, the causative agent of this deadly infection for animals, was detected in their blood. And although this is isolated data, it doesn’t hurt to be wary. This infection is not difficult to treat, and you can choose an effective drug, the main thing is to recognize the disease in the first 2 - 3 days, otherwise irreversible processes begin.
You should not miss the toxicity of the saliva of some ticks for cats, which sometimes causes specific poisoning:
- stiffness of the cat’s movements due to pain in muscles and joints;
- lethargy and refusal to feed;
- vomiting and stool disorders;
- increased body temperature in a cat;
- the appearance of a rash with or without itching;
- inappropriate pet behavior.
In many cats, mite saliva causes allergy attacks, which manifest themselves differently in each cat, from swelling and shortness of breath to dermatitis and even the appearance of bald spots. To neutralize allergic manifestations use any antihistamine, and in the presence of complications, symptomatic therapy is added.
What diseases are caused by subcutaneous mites?
Scabies of any localization causes real torment for a cat - unbearable itching, re-infection of scratches, dermatitis, ulcers. Ear scabies - otodectosis - is especially difficult to tolerate.
Another disease caused by the introduction of such mites into the body of an animal is demodicosis, which is difficult to develop and difficult to treat.
That is why it is important to insure your pet in time against such an array of problems caused by ticks, with the help of just one, but correctly selected, prophylactic agent!
