Oh dear

This morning I gave Muffy her usual going over with a fine-tooth comb while we were sitting outside.  So much hair comes out it's a wonder she's not bald.  This evening she hopped onto my lap while I was sitting inside on the sofa, and, as I'd left the comb outside, I stroked her with my fingers, getting handfuls of hair.  I started on her back, going down towards her tail, then went to her head and neck.  Oh my god, I felt dozens of tiny black balls, smaller than a pinhead, and when I pulled one out and squeezed it with a tissue, an amazing amount of blood for such a tiny creature came out.

Panic stations.  It was 10 to 7.  I rang the vet surgery and was told if I could be there by 7 we could see a vet.  I threw Muffy into her cage and tore up the road and just as well. The vet said they were paralysis tick lavae and she let me have a look through the microscope at one.  I actually let out a wild scream of horror, the magnification was so large, and the little black dot was now a very large creature with legs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The vet bathed Muffy in tick shampoo and I bought some to bring home for a mere $50. (The visit cost $100.15 on top of the shampoo, but I'd pay anything to save her life!)  I have to bath her every three days and check her out carefully every day.