Our owners have been pulling ticks out of my brother and I for the past week or so. When my owners pull a tick off one of the family dogs, they get very concerned, but didn’t seem as worried about finding ticks on us. The dogs laugh and say that this is because “cats don’t get affected by ticks”. Should we be worried? (Keidis, Domestic shorthair, 3 years, Dalmeny)

Dr Alan

You bet you’d better be worried, Keidis. Ticks are always looking for a victim and all animals including people are targets. During the tick season, not a week goes by when I have not had to treat at least one cat for tick paralysis. Signs in cats include: stiff leg walking, lack of coordination, vomiting and breathing difficulties. Even after a tick has been removed you may still be affected by the toxin and could die. Indoor cats are also at risk because some ticks are carried into the house by the dogs and your owner. Moral: all household pets should be checked for ticks daily, and your owners should apply tick prevention medication fortnightly. If any of the above symptoms occur, your owner should call the vet immediately!