We rescued 2 kittens from a county road yesterday. They appear about 6-8 weeks old. We gave them bathes, fed them gave them water and I am getting dewormer this evening. My daughter noticed tonight one kitten has a tick on its rectum that has bitten it. I’ve never had to remove a tick and I’m actually really nervous and scared. I could use some help.
It's wonderful that you're taking such good care of these kittens. Removing a tick can indeed seem a bit daunting, but with the right approach, you can handle it safely.
First, wash your hands thoroughly and put on gloves to avoid any contact with the tick or the kitten's blood. Using the fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to Oreo's skin as possible. Be careful not to squeeze the tick's body, as this can cause it to release more pathogens into the kitten. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick, as this can cause parts of it to break off and remain in the skin.
After you've removed the tick, place it in the small container with a lid. You can add a bit of rubbing alcohol to the container to kill the tick. Clean the bite area with antiseptic to prevent infection.
It's important to monitor Oreo for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge. If her symptoms persist or she exhibits other symptoms, I recommend taking her to your vet for an overall health check and vaccinations.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you for your dedication to these kittens' health.
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