Expert: Kate Tilmouth - 8/11/2009

Question
Hey there
Last night I thought my cat had a huge tick in her neck but it turned out to be something as huge as a tick and soft as a tick but not a tick at all, i dont know what colour it is, but can it be a mole should I have it checked out?
Regards
Johandi

Answer
Hi
how do you know it is not a tick? they busy there heads into the skin and look very much like a small lump , sort of brown, grey in colour.

It could be a mole but i don't think cats are particualy prone to those and they do not come up that quick they usually develop over years. If it has suddently appeared i would guess that it is more likely to be a tick.
Ticks have to be removed carefully and fully as if you pull them out without getting the head out, the area can become infected. there are specail tools for getting ticks out, your vet or local pet store may sell them.

if you really are not sure what it is, you will have to have the area looked at by a vet. If it is a tick they will remove it for you and advise about how they may have picked it up.

Ticks are nasty little things and as i say can cause infections.

best wishes Kate
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