Q: Is it true that a tick should not be pulled from a cat’s body?

Answer: Ticks are sometimes acquired by cats outdoors, particularly in country districts. They attach themselves firmly by their mouth-parts, usually to the cat’s ear, head, nick or paws, and suck blood; consequently, a heavy infection may produce anaemia. The cat often seems unconcerned and the small dark swelling, fluctuating in size, which is the tick, may be confused with a pigmented skin tumor. In warmer climates the in Britain, some species of hard ticks produce a toxin which progressively paralyzes the cat. Simply pulling the tick off usually causes the deeply embedded mouthparts to remain behind, and this may result in an abscess forming. Preferably the tack should be caused to slacken its grip by applying a pad of alcohol or ether, or by spraying it with an insecticidal aerosol spray, before carefully removing it with forceps. Removing ticks are best burned.