Tick-borne Disease In Cats

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How Prevalent Is Tick-borne Disease In Cats?
Analysis of Cat Infestations Every year 10,000
domestic animals are treated for tick paralysis
in Australia which is majorly caused by the
species Ixodes holocyclus. A broad range of
animals that are predominantly affected by these
ticks includes dogs, cats, cattles, sheep and
other native animals. Ixodes cornuatus is
another tick species which is majorly present in
southern Australia. Though dogs definitely get
affected in majority, cats contribution to the
spread of tick borne diseases remains overlooked.
In a study it was revealed that, cats that arent
neutered and live in rural areas are at
higher risk of contracting the infestation and
becoming the carrier of tick-borne diseases.
Observations undertaken for the examination of
outdoor cats also suggested greater risk of tick
infestation in cats that stayed outdoors
throughout the year than indoor cats. Different
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seasons also marked variation in the tick
activities with summers and autumn virtually
being the most vulnerable of them all. If facts
are to be believed, Ixodes spp that causes Lyme
disease in pets was identified in most of the
outdoor cats. Borrelia spp was another major
species that was found responsible for the
transmission of diseases like Babesiosis in the
cats examined. As an inference, cats were
detected as the secondary source of tick
infestation in Australia, after dogs. Since cats
have major prevalence and reach to the tick
infested places they can consequently bring the
disease in the households as well. Thus,
prevention and learning to figure out
infestation symptoms in cats is the primary
requirement to deal with tick associated
diseases. Tick Symptoms in Cats

• Anaemia
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Regurgitation
• Weakness
• Paralysis
• High Blood Pressure
• Poor reflexes
• Breathing issues

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• Excessive drooling
• Fast heart rate
• Though cats generally groom themselves thoroughly
  and dont leave scope for ticks to transmit the
  pathogen that easily but at times they could be
  missed. And a single tick which is infected is
  enough to spread the disease. Hence, learning the
  signs is extremely important in cats, more so,
  because they are extremely adept at hiding their
  illness.
• Consequences of cats having tick infection
• Cats that have tick infestation can cause
• Transmission of Tick borne disease to owner
• Transmission of ticks to other pets
• Infestation of the household
• Prevention of Ticks and Tick Borne Diseases In
  Cats
• Though cats are good groomers and they dont
  really let anything to latch on their coat,
  sometimes ticks could be hard to dislodge when
  they have dug deep into the skin. It is thus
  important to regularly check your cat for ticks,
  especially, when she returns from outdoors.
• All the ticks must be removed carefully as
  squeezing or squashing can actually cause ticks
  to vomit inside the cats skin which may again
  transfer the infection to the body. You must
  therefore just pull the tick gently up with the
  tweezers and flush it out directly.

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For preventing the cat against tick borne
diseases it is, however, necessary to take
measures in advance. Here are the methods to
consider Use of Preventatives Preventatives
make the task of controlling ticks way easier.
There are umpteen products in the market that
are specifically formulated to treat fleas and
ticks in cats and have different modes of
administration as per the suitability of the
animal. Topical solutions specially are easy to
apply and best way to get rid of ticks. However,
pet parents can also go with oral treatments if
they feel topical are a little greasy and you
have to quarantine your pet until the solution
dries up completely. Tick Shampoos and
Conditioners Tick shampoos are highly effective
in controlling tick infestations in pets. They
contain tick killing ingredients which when come
in contact with the parasites, starts causing
hyperactivity in their nervous system which
eventually kills the critter. Conditioners are an
add-on to the effect and work until a few hours
to repel ticks. So, every time you bathe your
cat, use tick shampoos. Tick Collars Tick collar
is just like any other normal cat collar but is
infused with chemicals that distribute itself on
the skin of the pet and kills the latched ticks.
It also repels ticks from nearing the pet thus
it is one of the best gadgets to use because
obviously you cannot stop your cat from roaming
in the neighbourhood. House Treatment Keeping the
house clean and vaccumed facilitates the
elimination of ticks. Beds, upholstery, carpets
and clothes must be cleaned every week. Other
than that, proper hygiene must be maintained and
the house must be treated with flea and tick
sprays. Lawn Treatment Lawn is one part of the
house where ticks can breed easily because of the
damp soil and filth. Heavy growth of plants also
facilitates tick occurrences thus it is important
that the grass must be cut short and the leave
piles must be regularly removed. Filth entices
rodents and rodents carry ticks so, in order to
remove ticks one must also keep the lawn rodent
free. The cleaner your lawn will be, the lesser
will it be attractive to parasites and rodents.