So, so, so grossed out

AimeeL85 · October 2013

On Saturday night my mom came to watch the kids and we went out. When she was putting DS to bed, she found a tick in his arm. It was partially imbedded; she was able to get it all out, we talked to the pedi and know what to watch for but think he's probably at a low risk for developing Lyme from it. We thought he picked it up on a train ride through the woods we went on at a festival earlier that day.

Then today in our living room I noticed something that looked like a bean on the floor. I kicked it into the kitchen because I was about to sweep in there. I got to the kitchen and saw another, and then a couple more down in our sunroom. I picked it up and looked at it closely, saw little legs and realized it was a bug - nasty. I then found about 10 more in the sunroom, threw them outside and went to look up what they were. They are engorged ticks full of blood!!! Our cat's blood - she has to be bringing them in from outside. They attach to her, fill up with blood, and drop off. We found at least a dozen more in the basement. So that's how one got onto DS, and thankfully we got it off before it took a meal. I am so grossed out and skeeved out. I can't find any more but that doesn't meal they're not in here, small ones that haven't gotten on a host yet, there's probably tiny ones like was on DS. We have been putting the cats outside more because they've been peeing and pooping in the house. I so want to be done with them, I can't help it. This really takes the cake.

thechickencoop · October 2013

Yuck! Try frontline for your cats, if will kill the ticks if they bite the cat so even if it brings them in, they'll be dead.

AimeeL85 · October 2013

Hav=Fath said:

Are you SURE they're ticks? I'd burn the house down. Now.

Seriously, burn the house down.

No, seriously seriously, I've never ever heard of having that many just laying around. Ticks are terrible around here this year and we have an outside cat and I'll occasionally find 1 or 2 on her but never dozens, especially just laying around on the floor, that seems very odd.

Absolutely 100% positive. The pictures I found online were identical. Also, one was crushed on the floor and there was a bunch of blood. So gross.

AimeeL85 · October 2013

letranger said:

What do to treat your cars with. That's Alot to bring in if they are on advantage etc. you could also comb them when they reenter. Finally next time burn them. Don't throw them outside.

This is our fault. They weren't treated with anything. Up until a few months ago they were only indoor cats. We moved a year ago and still kept them inside, then a few months ago let them start going out. I know this sounds really ignorant but we never thought of it, we didn't know you automatically need to treat them with something to prevent things like this. I ran out today and got Hartz Ultraguard Pro which my mom said she has found to be the best for her cats.

kristen714 · October 2013

The good news is they sound like wood ticks not deer ti

kristen714 · October 2013

Ticks. Sorry mobile won't let me edit.

Sagenhaft · October 2013

That's disgusting. Ew.

AimeeL85 · October 2013

This is exactly what they look like.

thechickencoop · October 2013

AimeeL85 said:

letranger said:

What do to treat your cars with. That's Alot to bring in if they are on advantage etc. you could also comb them when they reenter.

Finally next time burn them. Don't throw them outside.

This is our fault. They weren't treated with anything. Up until a few months ago they were only indoor cats. We moved a year ago and still kept them inside, then a few months ago let them start going out. I know this sounds really ignorant but we never thought of it, we didn't know you automatically need to treat them with something to prevent things like this. I ran out today and got Hartz Ultraguard Pro which my mom said she has found to be the best for her cats.

I strongly recommend against using Hartz products. I was a vet tech 'in my former life' and saw way too many cats that would come in having seizures or tremors because of the incorrect products were applied to them. Notoriously Hartz and Seargents products. I would recommend either Frontline or another product with fipronil as the active ingredient; it's much safer. Also make sure they're up to date on their 'outdoor cat' vaccines; call your vet and they can let you know what you specifically need!

nosoup4u · October 2013

Uuugh, horrible. I agree w letranger, burn those effers! We had lice last spring and it was THE grossest feeling ever to know they were on me and my kids. Still shudder thinking about it...

AimeeL85 · October 2013

aliebno said:

letranger said:

What do to treat your cars with. That's Alot to bring in if they are on advantage etc. you could also comb them when they reenter. Finally next time burn them. Don't throw them outside.

This is our fault. They weren't treated with anything. Up until a few months ago they were only indoor cats. We moved a year ago and still kept them inside, then a few months ago let them start going out. I know this sounds really ignorant but we never thought of it, we didn't know you automatically need to treat them with something to prevent things like this. I ran out today and got Hartz Ultraguard Pro which my mom said she has found to be the best for her cats.
I strongly recommend against using Hartz products. I was a vet tech 'in my former life' and saw way too many cats that would come in having seizures or tremors because of the incorrect products were applied to them. Notoriously Hartz and Seargents products. I would recommend either Frontline or another product with fipronil as the active ingredient; it's much safer. Also make sure they're up to date on their 'outdoor cat' vaccines; call your vet and they can let you know what you specifically need!

Thanks for the advice, in hindsight we were definitely stupid to let them outside without the tick treatment or outdoor vaccines (they are up to date on their regular ones), but I will admit I really didn't think of it, just decided to let them wander out one day and then kept doing it.

Sagenhaft · October 2013

britt1430 said:
OMG the pics!!! Eeeeeek!!! They popped up large on my phone screen. I might have nightmares.

Me too! They're huge on mobile!

AimeeL85 · October 2013

Sagenhaft said:

OMG the pics!!! Eeeeeek!!! They popped up large on my phone screen. I might have nightmares.
Me too! They're huge on mobile!

Yep, they're nasty! I even made the pic pretty small on the comp so that they might not gross you guys out toooooo much.

notkateanymore · October 2013

So when are you moving?

mexinugget · October 2013

No advice just wanted to say i kind of know how you feel. Discovered ringworm on our three dogs. It's not actually a worm but a fungus. Anyways thought our ds contracted it. Dr said he hasn't it's just dry skin. Phew, but knowing that your animals have something icky and they're bringing it home around your children just makes you feel bad. It made us feel like bad parents and oh so gross. It's been a few days of doggy quarantine and disinfecting the house. It's ok though these things happen. Don't beat yourself up. And good luck.

joyfullyfound · October 2013

I was going to give the same advice PPs have, so I'll just shudder and leave, haha. That sounds horrible!

zbeesma86 · October 2013

Oh no! I'm so sorry. Like feffy sad use clear tape so you can have tested. My sister had the same issue with her outdoor cats. Def keep the cat outside or quarantined in basement until you can get it treated. Again so sorry.

bumpuser924057 · October 2013

OMG that pic. I may never go outside again.

AimeeL85 · October 2013

I Heart The 80s said:

Wait....those pictures aren't of the actual ticks in your home, right?

RIGHT?

Surely you found those photos online>>???

I found the picture online, but we found a total of close to 30 identical ones in the house. The most nasty thing about it is they're miniscule until they suck blood and then they blow up like that.

mexinugget · October 2013

Yea CnAmom it sure wasn't fun having to call my sister to tell her to check her daughter for ringworm : (

AimeeL85 · October 2013

NandaB said:

Yea...don't just put them outside. They are just hanging out waiting for you cats now. If you don't want to burn them you can kill them in rubbing alcohol too.

Good to know! I think I'll use the alcohol if we find more. I didn't know what they were yet when I threw them outside. Cats are quarantined in the basement for now and not going out anytime soon!

khill86 · October 2013

Oh. My. God. That sounds terrifying. We often go to a conservation area with black legged ticks. We spray with a deet spray first but find the occasional tick afterward. I've never found an engorged tick on any of us, though. And none on our dogs (we treat with Advantage) and we don't bring them there.

I have to say, I had never seen a tick like the one you posted so I googled ticks. DON'T do it! Oh my god, poor dogs just infested with ticks!

I hope you can get them taken care of and under control!

AimeeL85 · October 2013

MrsMuq said:

You could just flush the ticks down the toilet. And please, treat your pets ASAP, and get them their outdoor vaccines.

I'm not freaked out by ticks - but that many ticks would freak me out.

She's going to the vet today at 4pm!

notkateanymore · October 2013

No seriously, when are you moving?

LOL

AimeeL85 · October 2013

KateMW said:

No seriously, when are you moving?

LOL

LoL, I said to DH yesterday "remember a few days ago when I said I think this is our forever house? i've reconsidered." Ugh, watch out, the end of the world may be coming. I think this kind of crap is in the book of Revelations.

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