How to Kill Ticks on Hamsters
Ticks are parasites that attach themselves to host animals and feed on their blood. A tick's saliva contains an anaesthetic agent, meaning they can easily go unnoticed by the animal. Ticks can cause scratching, sore patches on the skin and small wounds. They themselves will look like small, black spots. While they are not life-threatening, the symptoms they cause are unpleasant, and the ticks can spread to other animals and even humans. Affected hamsters should be treated as soon as possible, as excessive scratching can cause fur loss and even mange.
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Instructions
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Isolate your hamster from other pets if it has ticks to prevent them from spreading.
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Hold the hamster firmly with one hand so that it doesn't escape and locate the ticks you want to remove by moving the hamster's fur around with your fingers.
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Seize the tick with tweezers, getting as close to the head as possible. Ticks are tricky to remove because their heads are often buried within the skin of the animal and can be left behind, leading to possible infection.
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Pull slowly with the tweezers until the tick lets go. Don't pull quickly or you will pull it apart, leaving the head behind.
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Take your hamster to the vet if you're struggling to remove the ticks or there are too many. The vet will be able to prescribe a lotion that will kill the ticks but won't harm the hamster.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you keep your hamster's bedding and cage clean to prevent another parasite infestation. Use an anti-parasite spray or a mild disinfectant but check it is suitable for hamsters first. If you have other pets, check to see whether they have ticks too as they are easily spread by contact with other animals.
Don't use any medication, lotions or shampoos unless they are created specifically for treating hamsters. Consult your vet if you're unsure. If you use a spray or lotion on your hamster make sure its head is protected so you don't get any in its eyes, nose or mouth.
References
- Photo Credit Hamster image by Annekathrin Kohout from Fotolia.com
