Why ticks are dangerous for your cat?
Ticks thrive in humid and mild weather, and Malaysia's climate provides an ideal breeding and survival ground for them. As a result, ticks can be found all year round in Malaysia, and it's important to stay alert and protect your cat with an effective tick control product throughout the year.
Brown dog ticks can cause skin irritation and lead to anaemia due to excessive blood loss from heavy infestations. These ticks also carry various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, which can be transmitted to cats through tick bites and cause severe and potentially fatal Tick-borne diseases (TBD).
The three most common tick-borne diseases in cats in Malaysia are babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. Since ticks can carry multiple disease-causing agents, cats can be infected with more than one pathogen simultaneously, making diagnosis and treatment more challenging.
Finding ticks on your cat
Ticks are initially small and hard to detect when they attach to your cat. As they feed on blood, they become larger and more visible. However, the longer they remain attached, the greater the risk of complications.
Ticks on cats are commonly found around the head and neck region, but they can attach to any part of the body. Therefore, a thorough check of the entire body is necessary. It's advisable to check for ticks on your cat every day, even if they are on a tick control product. It's also important to note that you're more likely to feel a tick than see it, so use your hands to run through your cat's fur and examine the skin closely, especially if your cat spends time outside.
When checking for ticks on your cat, it's important to run your fingers through their coat and feel the skin surface carefully. Check hard-to-reach areas such as under the collar, chin, between toes, paws, gum-line, lips, eyes, and inside the ears. Don't forget to check their belly, back legs, genital region, and tail, as ticks can be found in these areas too.