My new kitten that I have had for a week, is in good healther except, that he has some ticks that i have been removing every night. I found at least 10 on him. They are so hard to catch and plus on a squirming little kitten. Anyway I gave him a bath but it didnt seem to help. The kitten has black dirt on it's stomach and its really heeavy in some spots. What is this? TIck dirt? Tick eggs? He doesnt scratch so they aren't fleas? Any help would be great? I keep removing the ticks and killing them, but this kitten is inside and I dont want bugs in my house. THanks!
2006-12-02 01:15:46 · 10 answers · asked by karynyarashas 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
This is definitely fleas, not ticks. What you are seeing is flea dirt. Fleas are small and run and jump around and are hard to catch. You would not have to "catch" ticks. They are large and slow, and usually by the time you find them they are burrowed in and have to be pulled out. You need to get the kitten on a good flea prevention regimen such as Frontline. Talk to your vet. If you have found 10 of them, there are probably a lot more that you can't see, along with their eggs.
2006-12-02 01:33:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tick's dont move much once they are on an animal, they latch on to the animal, burrow their head down into the flesh and begin to suck the animals blood, so much as to make their back end fill up like a balloon.The only way to safely remove a tick is to get the head out of the animal along with the rest of the body, I recommend having your vet do it, if in fact they are ticks.But what you are describing sounds like fleas and flea dirt. Try a special flea dip or go to your vet and have them give you a flea insecticide.Your cat may not be itching because the fleas may not be effecting him enough, but you should still get it checked out.Always be sure to clean your house after you have gotten rid of the fleas from your cat becuase fleas will jump and crawl all over your house.
2006-12-02 01:32:46 · answer #2 · answered by pookie_809 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With 5 pets, I had a serious flea infestation, my dogs would scratch ALL THE TIME, while my cats wouldn't. My vet told me that the black dust is actually flea feces which the larvae eat on to exist. I tried EVERYTHING, I was told to buy Capstar and Frontline plus and to treat them all at the same time. This combo has cleared up the problem and my pets are ALOT happier. The Capstar works within half and hour and the Frontline within a couple of hours. It is important to continue treatment even through the winter months to prevent infestation. After the initial treatment, you should be able to just give the Frontline Plus once a month.
2006-12-02 01:34:20 · answer #3 · answered by KELLY 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they are fleas.
I had the same problem a year ago with my cat. And the dirt you are talking about is dry blood from your cat for the new born fleas to feed on.
Frontline or other treatment like it won't work as they are only to prevent fleas being born.
Once you have the fleas, you need something stronger to kill them. There are tablets for the cat which will make the fleas jump of him within 10 minutes.
But your biggest problem will be to get ride of the fleas in the carpet. As long as they are in the carpet, they will continue to jump on the cat. The tablet only works for 24 hours.
You might need to fumigate your house with one of those slow release spray bomb.
Once you have killed all the fleas, put him on Frontline to prevent it happening again. Frontline will kill all the eggs, including those falling from the cat onto the carpet.
Check this site
http://www.exelpet.com/products/default.asp?category=kittens
2006-12-02 02:59:17 · answer #4 · answered by Aussies-Online 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the "ticks" move around fast then they are NOT ticks they are fleas. Ticks attach to the skin and usually you do not find them on cats. You kitten has FLEAS!!!!!!! The dirt is flea waste. contact your vet for a flea product
2006-12-02 13:21:31 · answer #5 · answered by leftygirl_75 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please DO NOT use any Hartz flea/tick products as they are known to cause seizures and even kill animals. Go to a vet (Banfield / Petsmart) and purchase Revolution. Put 1 dose on the kitten. It can take up to 12 hours for the fleas and ticks to be killed. Keep the kitten in 1 room (preferably one without carpeting) for 24 hours.
2006-12-02 08:45:02 · answer #6 · answered by nayliesue 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As ticks are NOT hard to catch I am thinking they may be fleas-- and the black specks are flea poo.
Do they move fast and are they black-- those are fleas
You can get flea powder from the pet store--READ AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS for its use
2006-12-02 01:45:22 · answer #7 · answered by mort 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ITS FLEAS not ticks - and you have to go to the vet and get something strong right away.
2006-12-02 01:23:52 · answer #8 · answered by gaiagurl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Um...Maybe he's been rolling in the dirt? Other than that I'd suggest that they're probably tick nest.(eggs)
2006-12-02 01:21:33 · answer #9 · answered by Questionaire 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to get this poor baby to the vet as soon as possible.
The fact that it had 10 ticks is dangerous to your kitten and your household.....for this is heavy infestation.......needs professional care!
Best wishes to you and your special friend!
2006-12-02 01:20:18 · answer #10 · answered by Marsha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋