Fleas

Ear mites

Chiggers

Ticks

removing ticks

External Parasites

Fleas

Because stray pets carry fleas everywhere, your kitten is going to get a few fleas when s/he goes outdoors-it just can't be helped. If these few fleas are not eliminated, the problem quickly multiplies. One flea lays 30 eggs a day, and those eggs become reproducing adults in two or three weeks. You soon have thousands of fleas.

Fortunately, new products have revolutionized flea control. The best method for you will depend on how many dogs and cats you have, where they live, and your own personal preferences. We are excited about these new products and enjoy talking about them - just ask.  Most people are surprised to learn that comparable products are nearly always less expensive from a veterinarian than at the pet store.

Ear mites

Ear mites are tiny blood sucking parasites, nearly invisible without a magnifying glass. The same mites that ordinarily affect cats can also live in dogs' ears, but don't affect people. Besides causing pain and itching, mites encourage bacterial growth, so most kittens infested with mites also have ear infections.

Many kittens catch ear mites from their mothers at birth and already have a severe problem when first examined.  Getting rid of mites is not difficult, but it's important to treat long enough. If you stop treatment too soon, a few mite eggs will survive, and in a few weeks you will have to start all over again. 

Chiggers

Chiggers are much less commonly seen than fleas and ticks, and not really a serious problem, but can present quite a puzzle.  They are tiny little tick-like parasites, but almost too small to see.  If your cat develops little pimple sized bumps on her body, or especially if you see inflammation on the edges of her ears, look very closely.  You may need a magnifying glass.   At the center of some of  the little bumps, or lined up at the edges of  her ears you will probably see tiny little orange critters.  Those are chiggers .  They are easily killed with flea spray, but Frontline works best and lasts longest.

Ticks

Ticks are seldom a big problem for cats.  The few we find are usually in the neck area, suggesting that cats are able to groom most ticks out by   themselves.  If you live in a brushy area and  your cats are getting ticks, see Reasons to choose Frontline over Advantage.  Both products eliminate fleas, but Frontline also kills ticks.

Removing ticks

The bacteria that causes Lyme Disease can penetrate human skin, so you don't want tick juice under your fingernails - wear gloves or use tweezers. Special tick tweezers are available at pet stores or from veterinarians.

Pull the tick straight out without twisting.  Ticks aren't threaded, so twisting them merely breaks the head off more easily. When you finish, dispose of the tick safely, clean the tweezers, and wash your hands.