Ask the Veterinarian/Ticks on cat

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Expert: - 11/12/2011


Question
Hi Jana,

I am writing this about my sister's cat. She has a short-haired domestic 2 year old cat this is a strictly indoor cat, but yet when she took her to the vet they found a tick on her. Now again my sister found a tick and got some medicine from the vet. My sister has to leave it on for 30 min. and can't let the cat lick it or she will get poisoned.
My question is, how is this cat getting ticks on her when she is always indoors and the family doesn't spend much time outside doing yard work. Could it be from my sister's husband hunting or my nephew hanging around in the woods (which he MAY be doing). If so, wouldn't the ticks stay on them instead of being on the cat?

Thanks for any insight you can share on this. My sister wants to get to the root of who is causing this. Thank you.
Leslie Mills

Answer
Here is your answer- right in your question:
"Could it be from my sister's husband hunting or my nephew hanging around in the woods (which he MAY be doing). If so, wouldn't the ticks stay on them instead of being on the cat?"

Yes, the husband out hunting is bringing in the ticks. Could be the nephew as well. Ticks can also come in on anyone's pants, socks, shoes, etc.
They wait in bushes and will fall off onto the first warm-blooded creature they sense. They don't stay on the people because they prefer the pets. Ticks are not always so picky but given the chance, they will head for the pet.

I am guessing that they gave her some Advantage plus which kills ticks for a month. It should work pretty well.

Your brother-in-law needs to check himself all over for a hidden tick or two. If not, he could end up with Lyme's or something else from these ticks. So does the nephew.

Ticks are 'host specific' which is why they prefer the cat.
Maybe when hunting season is over the tick problem will also be over.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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