My 11 year old tom cat has what seems to be a tick just below his right ear. Phoned our
usual vet which is now closed until the 28th December. Should I try to remove it, or will he
be okay until he sees the vet?
Yes, but I think I'll leave it until I can take him to the vets. If it's not a tick it's very deeply attached.I'm worried about doing more harm than good if I was to try and remove it myself.
Grab it at the base with tweezers and twist gently so it loses its grip. However, if you leave it it will probably drop off of its own accord once its had its fill of blood. They start off small and white like a seed and end up looking like a blackcurrant. Got a good link somewhere to a tick, will try to find it.
It will drop off eventually (alive to re-attach when it can) but might leave a sore. I put nail polisher remover on cotton wool and grab it firmly with my nails and pull (it will make it release its hooks)
Thankyou for all your answers. Managed to successfully remove the blighter with a
pair of tweezers. I'ts left a bit of a sore, but I've smothered it in antiseptic until I can
get him to the vets in a few days just to be on the safe side. Merry Christmas to you all.xx