My cat has what looks like a tick just above his eye.

[Rollergirl1]

Can I remove it myself or does he need a trip to the vet? If I can do it myself how should I do it? Am reading lots of conflicting advice. Some people say you shouldn't use tweezers as it leaves the jaw of the tick under the skin. Others are saying to use the end of a just lit match (as if!).

I first noticed it this morning when it was white in colour. Now it's grey, probably cos it's filled with blood. The cat hasn't let me near him today but if it's safe to remove it myself I will try and do tomorrow. But if needs a trip to the vet it will have to be Monday. I assume having it on him for 2 days won't be too detrimental to his health?

[Fluffycloudland77]

I think they need to be got off pretty quickly actually. The vets sell tools to get them out so the mouth parts don't get left in.

If its in a delicate area like that I'd get a vet to do it, pets at home vets are often open on a Saturday.

[Ducky23]

From what I can remember, it is best to let vets remove ticks as if you leave any part of the tick in (like legs) it can cause blood poisoning :-/ not 100% sure but better to be safe

[Rollergirl1]

I've actually just checked the vets and they are open for an hour tomorrow. Is a bit of a pain as it's DD's birthday tomorrow and could really do without a trip to the vets but best to be safe.

So what happens to cats that have them in places that aren't immediately visible? Do they become really ill?

[Ducky23]

I've just been talking to someone about it and apparently you can put Vaseline on them and it suffocates them let us know how you get on

[Rollergirl1]

Hi all, I ended up going to my vets and buying the tool to get them out. Was fairly simplistic. It was still alive when it came out which was gross.

Thanks everyone.

[AphraBane]

Good that you've got the tool now, but it really is easy once you get used to it - no need to go to a vet generally. Our rabbits used to get them in their noses all the time and I got rather expert at tick removal (that would be a good skill to stick on the CV). They bury themselves in head first, and it's the head you have to make sure you get out successfully to avoid blood poisoning. Tweezers actually work fine, we have a special pair of tweezers designed for animals (but use them for the kids too).

There's a reason why Vaseline is a really bad idea, but can't remember it right now.