Protection against ticks for cats: preventive measures

The safety of a pet worries every concerned owner, so when choosing a means of protection, many people have a lot of questions: effectiveness, duration, principle of operation, ease of use, etc. And today we propose to consider one of the most popular options for protection against annoying parasites - anti-tick drops for cats on the withers. Today they are used quite actively and have mostly positive reviews.

Why do you need protection against ticks?

In recent years, animal owners have faced an acute problem with the explosive growth of the tick population. And it’s not a matter of tick-borne encephalitis, the carriers of which are not so many among arthropods. A much worse disease is piroplasmosis, the causative agent of which is a protozoan organism from the genus Babesia.

Dogs sometimes suffer from piroplasmosis several times per season. The presence of feline piroplasmosis/babesiosis in Russia is still questionable. This is originally an African disease. But few people would want to be convinced of the presence of the parasite on Russian territory by using their pet as an experimental animal.

On a note!
In addition to babesiosis, ticks carry many other diseases that are dangerous not only for animals, but also for humans.

Ways of infecting a cat with ticks

The risk of being bitten by pets is much lower than that of those who are allowed outside, so Murkosha strongly recommends keeping your pets at home. Otherwise, the risk of contracting infections through parasites and developing diseases of the skin and internal organs increases significantly.

Read more about the dangers of self-walking: Self-walking - when freedom means death

However, domestic cats can also be bitten. Thus, ticks can be brought into the house on your clothes, shoes, or even on another pet if you have a dog. Therefore, you should understand that it is completely impossible to protect a cat, and always pay due attention to the timely treatment of the animal from parasites. We’ll talk more about prevention methods in the last paragraph of this article.

Side effects and contraindications

Adverse reactions when using the drug occur very rarely. Sometimes allergies may occur. In this case, it is enough to wash off the ointment under running warm water and give the cat an antihistamine. The medicine is not used for bacterial and viral infections in animals. The ointment is contraindicated in emaciated cats. The product should not be used during the animal’s recovery period.

The cat has a sore on his withers. Everyone was very scared and upset. The cat belongs to a friend of mine, to whom I suggested that she take her pet to the doctor. She decided to wait a little. As a result, the cat’s body weakened, but the sore began to go away on its own. After some time we decided to try this ointment. However, the doctor said that since the process of recovery has begun, it is best to let the cat get a little stronger and use the product in combination with vitamins. We are pleased with the result. But I do not recommend treating the animal yourself without first consulting a doctor!

How does infection occur?

The tick is transmitted through saliva, fur, and microtraumas when a sick animal comes into contact with a healthy one.

Infection will occur only if the animal’s immune system is weakened, its metabolism is impaired, i.e. it is at risk, and this is:

pregnant cats;
old individuals;
animals with chronic diseases;
kittens.

Kittens can become infected from their mother. The tick can also be transmitted through common hygiene products that the cat comes into contact with.

If the cat has a strong immune system, it can become a carrier of the pathogen: it will not get sick, but it can transmit it to other animals.

Which product is better to choose?

The animal owner is faced with the task of protecting the cat not even from the tick itself, but from its bite. To do this, it is necessary that the arthropod cannot even crawl onto the cat. Ticks wait for their prey on the grass. If a cat shakes off a parasite, the tick must try to escape or die quickly. Not all flea and tick products for cats can protect your animal from being bitten.

Mite on a cat

Drops against fleas and ticks on the withers

The action of the drops is based on the fact that the toxic substance is absorbed into the skin and distributed in the upper layer of the epidermis. When using drops, you don’t have to worry that they will be washed away by dew or that your cat will lick them off while washing. But parasites must first bite an animal in order to die. Namely, the bite is dangerous for the cat. The owner will think that he managed to protect the cat from ticks, but in reality the person simply will not see the appearance of the bloodsucker.

Pills

In the understanding of English-speaking specialists, this tool is called this. But it looks like small briquettes. Animals eat them on their own. The most effective remedy if the cat is categorically against treatment. A serious advantage of briquettes is that it is not only a drug against ticks and fleas, but also a cure for worms. After feeding the briquette, the owner simultaneously treats the cat against internal parasites. The tablets are effective for 6 months against fleas and 3 months against ticks.

The disadvantage is the same as in drops on the withers. Briquettes kill ticks, but do not repel them. This means that the tick will bite the cat and only then die.

On a note!
There are concerns that the substances used in drops and briquettes are bad for the liver. The reason for concern is that these drugs penetrate into the body and remain there for a long time. Reviews from veterinarians have not yet confirmed this, but briquettes also appeared relatively recently. Statistics have not yet been collected.

Spray

The anti-tick and flea spray for cats is the same as for dogs. Apply to the fur along the ridge and rub lightly. Once dry, the spray is not harmful to the cat. The smell of the active substance repels parasites. Thanks to this, neither insects nor arthropods will bite the cat. But the spray requires frequent renewal and can be washed off with water. In addition, most cats cannot stand the hiss of the spray and the strong smell. Sprays are made on the basis of esters for maximum drying. An attempt to treat a cat against ticks with a spray often develops into full-fledged combat operations. And the cat comes out the winner.

Anti-tick sprays for cats

Powder

The difference between powder and spray is that the former does not hiss when you shake it onto the fur. But if the animal is suspicious of any manipulation, then even here the treatment of the cat may encounter difficulties in catching and keeping the animal in one place. Otherwise, the principle is similar: the cat is powdered and the powder is rubbed into the fur.

The pros and cons are the same as the spray: the smell of the powder repels parasites, but the powder can be washed off with water. The cat is also able to lick the powder when washing itself.

Collar

The easiest way to protect your cat from ticks in the country. The same substance that is used in other products of a particular brand is “imprinted” into the collar. But the collar is relatively resistant to getting wet. There is no need to bathe the animal with it, but the collar will withstand dew and rain. The cat cannot lick the insecticide off it. The collar lasts longer than powder and spray, but less than briquettes. Considering the lifespan/risk ratio for the pet, the collar is a good way to protect the cat. Putting it on also does not take much time and does not bother your pet.

Why are tick bites dangerous for kittens and adult cats? Symptoms of infections

As we have already noted, tick bites in themselves do not pose a particular danger to cats: the maximum reaction is irritation at the site of injury, possibly the formation of a small amount of pus. What is really worth paying attention to is the behavior of a cat bitten by a parasite. The infection immediately affects the pet’s general tone and appetite; it begins to eat and move less. The temperature may rise, cough and shortness of breath may appear.

If your cat is vomiting, its mucous membranes turn white, and its urine becomes pinkish, contact your veterinarian immediately, as there is a high probability of contracting piroplasmosis, typhus, encephalitis, berreliosis and other serious infections.

Read more in the article: Diseases of cats carried by ticks

Remember that infection can occur even after the tick has been removed, since pathogens enter the bloodstream at the time of the bite. Weight loss, dehydration and lethargy are also signs of illness, not necessarily related to ticks. The most dangerous infections are:

1. Tularemia – suppuration of the cat’s internal organs (liver, lungs, spleen) followed by opening of the infected areas of the body. This disease is also dangerous for humans, and if not treated in a timely manner, the pet can die in a matter of weeks.

2. Berylliosis is an inflammation of tissue in the lungs, similar to bronchitis. An infected cat develops coughing, shortness of breath and lack of oxygen. In an advanced stage it can be fatal.

3. Encephalitis is a disease that affects the brain and can cause complications even after long-term treatment. Therefore, you should immediately go to the veterinarians, because otherwise the furry’s brain itself will be damaged.

Terms of use

So, as we have already said, antiparasitic drops are applied to the animal’s withers. First, you need to take the cat and use a comb or simply use your fingers to push the fur apart in the treated area. We drip the solution onto the body and gently but thoroughly rub it into the skin. After applying the product, the animal should not be bathed for three days.

On a note! Many manufacturers indicate in the instructions that after using the drops, the cat should not be stroked or combed in the treated area!

How much product will be needed for one treatment? This depends on your pet’s age, body weight, health status and other individual characteristics. You will again find information on dosage for each specific case in the instructions.

Checking the cat after a walk

Every time your cat returns home from the street, take the time to carefully examine her for the presence of parasites: thoroughly comb the animal’s fur with a thick comb, inspect the ear areas, paw pads, stomach, groin and armpits. Sometimes it is possible to find a bloodsucker that has not yet started the “meal” - in such cases the insect is immediately removed and burned. If the tick has already attached itself, remove it as soon as possible, thereby minimizing the risk of infection.

Of course, those cat lovers whose pets live inside the house and never go outside are least concerned about the problem of ticks. But this is not always possible, so if your four-legged friend loves long walks, do not limit his desires: just provide him with the most effective protection, and not a single tick will pose a danger to him! After all, our love and care can create real miracles. Health to you and your cats.

Active substances

All medications for cats against ticks and fleas are made with different active ingredients. The best option: periodically change brands so that parasites do not get used to the poison. With all the variety of products that protect against ticks and fleas, the range of active ingredients is limited:

imidacloprid;
propoxur;
fipronil;
fluralaner;
margosa oil;
diazinon;
selamectin;
tetrachlorvinphos;
essential oils.

Bayer uses imidacloprid and propoxur. But even with the same active substance (imidacloprid), the duration of action of the product may be different: the Foresto collar “works” for up to 8 months, and Advocate drops only for 1 month. Drops are almost 3 times cheaper, but to protect cats from fleas and ticks it is better to use a collar. It will end up being cheaper. Bayer uses Propoxur in the manufacture of spray.

Anti-tick products for cats

The domestic company Agrovetzaschita uses fipronil in drops on the withers. Drops protect against ticks for 1 month.

Review
I took Bars drops from Agrovetzaschita. Now they are praised even more than popular foreign brands. I was surprised myself, but the drops worked. Before that I used very cheap Butox and Neocidol, but they didn’t work at all. Either they were a fake, or they were just like that.
Alena Tretyakova, Moscow

Drops on the withers for cats from the company Bravecto contain fluralaner. Protection against parasites for 3 months. Compared to Bolfo they lose in price.

On a note!
The Dutch company Bifar produces collars for cats based on a natural substance - margosa oil. The period of protection against ticks (4 months) and low price make this product the best product for cats.

Types of flea collars

There are four main types of anti-parasitic accessories. They are divided according to the principle of operation and the level of safety.

Biological

Made from rubber. Their main effect is protective; such models cannot cope with the destruction of existing fleas. Essential oils or natural poisons (usually from herbs) are used as impregnation for bio-collars. Such odors are harmless to cats, but perfectly repel ectoparasites. Bio-collars are not dangerous for the cat’s body and are environmentally friendly, although they can sometimes cause allergic reactions (itching, redness, dermatitis), this is due to individual intolerance. The shelf life of biomodels is approximately three months. Recommended for pregnant and lactating cats, as well as for kittens up to one year old.

Insecticidal

They are made from a rubber or polyvinyl chloride base and are impregnated with an antiparasitic composition. The advantages include their real effectiveness, and the disadvantages include the danger of toxic effects on the cat. Before use, it is recommended to stretch the device slightly to activate the active substance. Such products have a protective effect for several months.

Ultrasonic

The fabric base of the cat flea collar is supplemented with a mini-device that emits ultrasound, which is not perceptible to the human ear, but has a depressing effect on insects. It is completely harmless for pets. The mechanism is started by a battery, the performance of which determines the effectiveness of the accessory. Perhaps the only drawback of such devices is the significant price.

Radiating

The mechanism of action of the radiating collar is the propagation of electromagnetic waves, which have a destructive effect on ectoparasites. The advantages of this option include odorlessness and non-toxicity. However, they are not capable of adversely affecting eggs with larvae, and besides, the safety of electromagnetic radiation is a controversial issue.

Regardless of the model type, the listed accessories are suitable for representatives of all breeds: short-haired and long-haired.

Characteristic

Tick drops are a liquid solution of an insecticide that is active against parasites, but at the same time has low toxicity for the animals themselves. However, if large doses of the drug enter the body, poisoning is possible, and therefore the drops are applied to a place that is inaccessible for licking - on the withers or on the line of the spine. Among the large assortment, you can choose a product for cats of any age, as well as for pregnant and weakened pets.

The active ingredients in anti-tick drops for cats may include:

permethrin - spreads quite quickly throughout the animal’s body, providing reliable protection, and when it enters the gastrointestinal tract (if the cat does lick off part of the drug), it immediately breaks down without causing any particular harm to health;
pyriproxyfen - somewhat earlier it was actively used as a filler for anti-parasitic collars, today it has also begun to be used in the manufacture of drops from blood-sucking parasites;
fipronil is one of the most modern insecticides, which, compared to others, is considered less dangerous for animals;
Ivermectin is a universal insecticide that works very successfully against a wide range of parasites.

Once on the cat’s body, the active substance spreads over the skin, envelops the hair follicles and after a while begins to gradually evaporate. Toxic vapors penetrate the body and significantly reduce their activity; when bitten, the insecticide almost instantly paralyzes the nervous system, after which the parasite dies.

Peculiarities

Some drops can only repel bloodsuckers, others can both repel and destroy. You can find this information in the instructions for the drug.
Many products have a strong odor, which will cause your cat to try to lick them off or wipe them with their paw. To eliminate discomfort and prevent unwanted consequences, after application the product must be thoroughly rubbed into the skin.
Drops on the withers for the most part work not only against ticks, but also against other blood-sucking parasites: fleas, lice eaters, etc. And after eliminating pests from the animal’s body, they provide good prevention of their reappearance.
Drops are a very easy-to-use form of protection for pets, and usually one bottle is enough for a complete recovery.

Clinical symptoms

At the beginning of the disease, the animal has mild itching, the cat begins to behave restlessly, scratch its ears or the area around the ears with its paws, and may itch on various objects in the environment.

An important symptom will be a large amount of earwax and brown dry crusts in the external auditory canal, reminiscent of ground coffee. A large amount of exudate can completely block the ear canal, which will lead to hearing loss .

the eardrum may , which will lead to the development of otitis media and, if the inflammation spreads to the meninges, meningitis . In this case, the animal will exhibit neurological symptoms - an unsteady gait, the head may be tilted to the side, convulsions, and the body temperature will rise. The whole process can be fatal.

For kittens

Most chemical insecticides have a limitation: they cannot be used on very young kittens. Most drugs are intended to be used on kittens older than 2 months. If we are talking about drops, then one pipette is designed for an already adult, albeit medium-sized cat. For a kitten, such a dose will be excessive. But the owner will have to determine the required dosage by eye. It is very difficult to do this at home and in the presence of a squirming kitten.

Important!
You need to be careful when choosing a product for kittens. Especially if in the future these are breeding animals. Chemical insecticides in large quantities can disrupt the reproductive functions of animals.

It is impossible to overdose on preparations containing natural essential oils. And the kitten won't get poisoned either. Therefore, for kittens against fleas and ticks, you can use the following products:

Anti-tick products for kittens

Bio sport spray from Bifar is based on lavender oil, but the spray provides protection only for a week, then the treatment must be repeated;
Sentri spray based on clove oil protects against ticks for 2 weeks;
a Bio Band collar from Bifar with margosa oil may be suitable for a kitten if it can be reduced in length (35 cm for an adult cat), protection against ticks for 4 months;
drops on the withers from Bifar with margosa extract are made specifically for kittens weighing less than 2 kg; they can successfully replace a collar, but they provide protection for 1 month.

Review
I have been a fan of Bifar since its first appearance in the country. Back then, these products for cats were very expensive. Then they spoiled, I stopped buying. And now the company has entered the market with biosecurity. I really like the smell of lavender. So I buy lavender spray for my cats. And repeating the processing is easy. My cats are calm
Ekaterina Gorodilina, Khimki

Features of protection of pregnant females and kittens

For pregnant and lactating females, kittens, and weakened animals, there are special products of all types. These are drops (Clandestine Junior), and sprays (Fiprist), and shampoos (Clandestine). Each of them is designed for a specific age of the animal, but kittens under 2 weeks old cannot be treated with any means. At an older age, if the kitten has not yet been weaned from its mother, after treatment it must be isolated from the female for some time in order to avoid licking the drug.

What to do if a tick bites a dog or cat

If you notice that a parasite has attached itself to your pet, the bloodsucker must be removed immediately.

It is necessary to take the animal to the nearest veterinary clinic or call a doctor at home in order to properly remove the tick, treat the wound, and immediately submit the parasite for analysis. If this is not done, the bite may result in death.

Tatyana Shmonina, veterinarian, work experience - more than seven years

If it is not possible to take your pet to the doctor, try removing the bloodsucker yourself: the procedure is practically no different from removing a tick from a person.

To do this, you will need a twister, fine-tipped tweezers or thread.

If your dog or cat won't sit still, ask someone to hold it. Otherwise, you risk accidentally crushing the parasite or tearing its body away from its head.

Treatment of tick bites in cats

If you find a tick on a kitten or adult cat, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. If this is not possible right now, then follow the instructions from Murkoshi volunteers:

1. Part the animal's fur to provide a clear view of the bite site. If the hair is thick, you can use a comb or dampen the hair with water and smooth it.

2. Carefully examine the cat’s skin; if you notice a wound with an insect, check how deep the tick is embedded and whether you can remove it yourself. It is worth remembering that the main thing is to pull it out completely, including the body parts under the skin.

3. If you understand that you cannot cope with a tick, then it is better to treat the wound to avoid infection (with any disinfectants except iodine and brilliant green!) and take the animal to a doctor.

4. If the tick is easily removed, we recommend grabbing it with tweezers and rotating it clockwise. You need to grab the insect close to the cat's skin to accurately pull out its head. Rotate or gently rock the tick and thus remove it.

5. After you have pulled it out, you should treat the wound again so that a lump does not appear.

6. Destroy the tick as soon as you get it.

After this, it is imperative to monitor the cat’s behavior, thereby eliminating the possibility of illness. If you notice the symptoms listed above, visit a veterinary clinic immediately! In situations where the cat’s health is at risk, “Murkosha” always advises contacting specialists!

Treatment for a cat after a tick bite can only be prescribed by a veterinarian based on the tests obtained, so we urge you not to self-medicate. In addition, the recovery process is individual for each infection. Don't neglect your pet's health and go to the clinic.

Composition, release form and storage conditions

Aversectin ointment contains aversectin C, which has an effect against parasites. Additionally, the composition includes the following components:

polyethylene oxide-1500;
distilled glycerin;
polyethylene oxide-400.

The ointment has a yellowish tint and a uniform consistency. There should be no foreign inclusions. The product is released only in the form of an ointment, which is placed in a polymer jar. The drug must be stored under certain temperature conditions: from 0 to 20 degrees. Otherwise, the composition will quickly become unusable. The ointment should not be near light sources. The medication should be stored in a dark place for no more than 2 years. After opening the drug, its shelf life is reduced to 24 days.

Aversectin ointment is used in veterinary practice

Attention! The medicine cannot be used after the expiration date. Otherwise, instead of benefit, you can cause harm to the animal.

Diagnosis and differential diagnoses

The diagnosis is made based on the animal's clinical symptoms (head shaking, itching in the ears or body, the presence of crusts in the ears) and the results of microscopy of exudate from the external auditory canal. Under a microscope, both adult ticks and tick eggs are clearly visible.

You may also need an otoscopy - examining the eardrum using a special instrument (otoscope) to check for damage. Sometimes a bacteriological or cytological examination is required - when otodectosis is complicated by otitis, it is important to determine the pathogen causing inflammation (it can be a bacterium or fungus); Then, based on the results, ear drops containing an antibacterial and/or antifungal component are selected.

Veterinarian performing otoscopy

When conducting diagnostics, the root cause must be excluded:

Bacterial or fungal otitis
Allergic otitis (food allergic reaction to dietary components)
Ceruminous otitis (inflammation of the external auditory canal due to increased production of earwax)
The presence of foreign objects in the ear canal (wool, blades of grass, sand, etc.).

Scabies (microscopic) mites.

These parasites are able to live and reproduce only in the host’s body, in different layers of its skin. Diseases caused by ticks are called arachnoses (from the Greek arachne - spider).

A cat becomes infected with mite scabies either through direct contact with a patient, or through contaminated (contaminated) care items, bedding, or a carrier. A person can become infected with some of the feline arachnoses, but the parasites will not be able to reproduce in their skin.

Otodecosis (ear scabies).

The pathogen parasitizes in the ear canal. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and some other animals get sick. The first symptoms of infection are itching and hyperemia. Further development of the disease is accompanied by the release of exudate, which, after drying, forms brownish scabs that resemble ground coffee in appearance. With tick-borne otitis media, ear discharge produces a specific, “mouse” odor. By scratching the ears, the cat damages the skin and introduces additional microflora into the inflammation. Otodectosis is often accompanied by bacterial and fungal infections, as well as surgical pathologies such as auricular hematoma. Uncomplicated otodectosis can be treated well, but in especially severe cases, mites in cats can cause hearing loss and even death of animals.

Cheyletiellosis.

May affect cats, dogs and rabbits. This parasite is often called “walking dandruff.” On the skin of an infected cat, movement of keratinized skin scales is observed. It is caused by the movement of ticks moving underneath them. The favorite location of the parasite is the back of the animal. The main signs of the presence of a mite in cats: slight hair loss, itching, hardening of the skin and an increase in the amount of dandruff.

Notoedrosis.

The causative agent is Notoedres cati. This parasite is typical of cats, but also affects dogs and rodents. The disease begins in the scalp, causing moderate itching, scratching and hair loss, and later spreads in “nests” throughout the body. The released exudate sticks the fur together, giving it the appearance of a “felt boot” in long-haired animals. Notoedrosis in cats often takes a chronic form, forming folds, cracks and numerous papules and pustules on the skin.

Sarcoptic mange.

Foci of the disease are most often localized in the head, at the base of the ears, on the back of the nose and in the superciliary arches of the animal. Accompanied by intense itching, hair loss and hyperpigmentation. Fluid-filled nodules appear at the affected sites. It flows brightly, causing a lot of inconvenience to the animal. Cats rarely become infected with sarcoptic mange; it is mainly a canine parasite.

Demodecosis.

Cats rarely suffer from this disease. It is believed that the disease most often manifests itself in animals with weak immunity. Demodex parasitizes in the deep layers of the skin, affecting the areas of the lips, eyes, ears and limbs. May spread throughout the body. Itching is mild or absent.