Ticks

Severe impact on the animal's well-being

Castor bean tick
Ixodes ricinus

All cats will make the acquaintance of ticks. In Central Europe, the most common species is the castor beau tick (Ixodes ricinus) and the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). As soon as a suitable host is in sight, the ticks slip off grass or branches, hold on tight, bore into the skin and begin to draw tissue fluids such as blood. The major danger emanating from ticks is the transmission of viral, bacterial and protozoal diseases and the occurrence of tick paralysis. These diseases have a severe impact on the animal's well-being.

Prevention and treatment

For prevention, flea collars, for example, have proven effective; they protect the animal for months. But if a tick should be found in the animal's coat, it can be removed properly with a special tick tweezers. It's best to let your veterinarian show you how this is done.

Learn more about ticks and tick control.