How to get ticks out of a cat’s ears? - briefly
Use fine‑tipped tweezers or a dedicated tick‑removal device to grasp the parasite near the ear canal and pull upward with steady pressure until it detaches. Disinfect the site with a pet‑safe antiseptic and observe the cat for signs of irritation or infection.
How to get ticks out of a cat’s ears? - in detail
Ticks can attach inside a cat’s ear canal, causing irritation, infection, or blood loss. Prompt removal prevents complications.
First, assess the situation. Look for a small, dark, engorged parasite near the outer ear or deeper in the canal. If the cat shows signs of discomfort, shaking its head, or excessive scratching, intervene immediately.
Gather supplies: fine‑point tweezers or tick‑removal forceps, a bright light source, a flashlight or otoscope, cotton balls, antiseptic solution (e.g., chlorhexidine diluted 1:10), a clean towel, and a sealed container for the specimen.
Procedure
- Secure the cat on a stable surface. Wrap it gently in a towel, leaving one ear exposed, to limit movement.
- Illuminate the ear with the light source. If the tick is visible at the entrance, grasp it as close to the skin as possible with the tweezers, avoiding squeezing the body.
- Apply steady, upward traction. Pull straight out without twisting; twisting can leave mouthparts embedded.
- If the tick is deeper, use an otoscope to locate it. Insert the forceps carefully, keeping the ear canal open, and extract the parasite using the same steady motion.
- Place the removed tick in the sealed container for identification or veterinary confirmation.
After removal
- Clean the ear canal with a cotton ball dipped in the diluted antiseptic.
- Observe the site for residual bleeding or inflammation.
- Contact a veterinarian if the tick’s mouthparts remain, if the ear appears infected, or if the cat shows signs of fever or lethargy.
Prevention
- Apply a veterinarian‑approved ectoparasite product regularly.
- Inspect the cat’s ears weekly, especially after outdoor excursions.
- Maintain a tidy yard, removing tall grass and leaf litter where ticks thrive.
Accurate, swift extraction and proper aftercare reduce the risk of disease transmission and promote ear health.