can ticks in cats be so fatal?

Question

vet took out tick, but were told to keep him in for serum at a cost of about $300 +overnight cost for 7 days,tick bath,maybe have to shave him,antibiotics...is it really all that needed.We were going to just pull it out and simply go on about the day,but they said he could have died over night

Answer 1

In my opinion, I have never heard it being so costly unless the tick was carrying Lyme, etc. disease. I am from Alabama, and lived in the back woods for about 4 years, and of course my animals got ticks. We would just remove them and that would be it. Never had any problem, or went to the vet. If your animal was showing signs of being sick, then you probably did the right thing, if not then the vet got for all that money for nothing. I would recommend asking just what kind of bacteria has consumed your animal. Your feelings are right, this visit should not of been so costly (unless they can prove something deadly, not just b/c your animal had a tick). For the vet to consider this to be so deadly, then I would be sure they did blood work. I would dig deeper into this situation. Ask yourself these questions: Did the area from where the tick was attached look infected? Did your cat act sick in any way? Did your cat start losing his appetite? Did your cat act different in ANY way? I worked with animals, and mainly cats, and have seen skin infections, gashes on the skin, and saw the animal be treated with antibiotics, and still get to go home, with the meds. You know you want your cat to be alright, and in good health, but don't let this be a situation to were the vet is getting your money for nothing. ASK YOUR VET MORE QUESTION! Get an itemized bill showing you just what the vet did to your cat, and find out what purpose they found to do this. If you find holes in the vets reasons, then I suggest you maybe get a lawyer. I hope that everything works out for you, and your kitty is doing GREAT! Good Luck To You!

Answer 2

Cat could die in 2 days from a paralysis tick. It really depends on what sort of tick the vet pulled out. I am forever pulling ticks off my dogs and very rarely see the Paralysis tick in my area. I have seen ticks the size of a mans thumb pulled off little dogs with no side affects. But one little Paralysis tick and the animal will die quite quickly dpending on thew size of the animal and other factors.

The Vet may have been over reacting suggesting the shave and 7 days on drugs, but we don't really have a lot to go on here. The only way to know if the vet is putting an extension on his house is by having the cat and the tick examined by another vet.

Alternatively, you could buy a new cat from the RSPCA for around $5. How much do you like the cat?

Answer 3

the tick could have carried Lyme disease, Not sure about dying overnight since it may take a few years for the disease to actually kill the cat. It is a very painful death and the best thing to do is prevent Lyme disease. Do everything that your vet recommends and follow any instructions. If you do not want to take full responsibility for this animal bring him to a humane society or shelter in your area.

Answer 4

Sounds like a bunch of BS to me. I live in Oklahoma. There is a fatal disease to my cats, called cytauxzoan. If a bobcat gets bit by a tick and falls off then bites a cat, the cat will die. There is no known cure for it. It has happened to many of my cats and it never gets easier.

There is no known cure for what my cats have gotten. What you are talking about I don't know. but, I find it hard to believe that what you went through is true. I know most people will do anything to keep their animals alive, but I personally think you have been lied to.

Answer 5

This sounds a little suspious. Not only for your cat's safety, but for you wallet, too. Vets and doctors rank the same in my book- most of them will try to con you into buying the most expensive (and usually WRONG) medications for your illness or disease (has it happen to me on four, count them, four occassions). I would ask the vet exactl WHY did your cat need these medications, then take a tape recorder or write down what they say.

Check with other vets in the area, or if you could, look up other vets and check the information with them. At bare minimum, check the disease on the internet to understand what your dealing with medically and finacially.

Answer 6

i'm curious to renowned precisely what this dread tick ailment is. the two my cats and that i've got had assorted tick bites by using the years without contracting it. of direction one tries to avert the nasty little suckers yet ticks take place LOL, extraordinarily interior the midwest. Oh, definite,there are tick remedies yet no longer continually one hundred% effective.

Answer 7

Ticks won't usually cause problems in a cat. I think you better look into seeing another vet..this one seems to be trying to take advantage of you.

Answer 8

Hmmm. I never heard of that. But it may be in your area. Why not do a little detective work? Check with some other vets and see if they would recommend the same thing. If you think you were duped, get a lawyer.

Answer 9

You see the ticks feed on the blood. So if it is not detected early it can be fatal for the cat

Answer 10

IF YOU LET YOUR CAT OUTSIDE HE WILL GET TICKS AND FLIES ON HIM .
BEST THINK TO DO IS KEEP HIM INDOORS