What is a paralysis tick?
It is the female paralysis tick that causes paralysis tick toxicity. Ticks are eight legged external parasites that attach to your dog or cat. Once attached it begins to feed by burrowing its mouthparts into the animal’s skin and sucking blood – it then starts producing a potent toxin that affects the animal’s central nervous system and causes progressive paralysis and possibly death.
While there is an anti-serum available to treat tick paralysis, treatment is expensive and very much dependent on early identification of symptoms by the owner and immediate veterinary attention. Ticks can remain on your pet for as long as 12 days before detaching themselves.
What are the symptoms of paralysis tick bite?
Symptoms that your pet may display if they are suffering from tick paralysis include:
- Weakness or paralysis in the back legs, progressing to the front legs
- Wobbling and lack of coordination
- Coughing or gagging
- Change in tone of the bark
- A grunt on breathing
- Trouble swallowing
- Regurgitating or vomiting
- Drooling
- Inability to stand
- Facial paralysis
How do I check my dog or cat for ticks?
Ticks thrive in bushy areas, long grass & are at their peak population in warmer weather. During tick season, we recommend doing a daily check of your pet in conjunction with a preventative treatment. Ticks will vary in size depending on the duration of time they have been feeding on your pet. Sizes can range from a small grass seed size to the size of an apple seed as an engorged adult. The following technique applies for both dogs & cats:
- Using small movements, search your pet using the tips of your fingers. You are feeling for anything that feels like a raised bump.
- Start at the front of your pet, 90% or ticks are found here.
- Search around the eyelids, under the collar, ear folds (look down the ear canal), up & under the gums, under the chin & between the paws.
- Working down your pet, pay attention to the skin folds under the arm, inside leg & all around the pets tail.
How do I remove a tick from my dog or cat?
Ensure you are in a well lit area, part the animals coat so that you have good visibility. It can be helpful to have a second person help out by holding your pet or keeping them still. Remove using a tick hook or using the tips of your fingers as close to the head as possible. If you are unsure, contact your vet & leave this to the experts!
Dispose of the tick safely & do not apply any oils or chemicals to the site.
How can I prevent ticks?
Traditionally paralysis ticks were a threat in coastal areas only. With recent wet weather along the East coast, these are now being reported in parts of the Southern Highlands. We recommend preventative treatments to kill and repel ticks that come into contact with our pets. For dogs, use the Advantage Seresto tick collar if traveling to a known ‘tick area’, this collar must be applied 48 hours before the dog is fully protected.
There is a variety of preventative products available, always read the directions for application, ensure you maintain the regular application & use the correct dosage for the weight of your pet.
Simparica Trio is a monthly chew that provides protection for Intestinal worms, fleas and paralysis and brown ticks as well as heartworm.
Emerging tick diseases what pet owners need to know
and transmitted by the Brown Dog Tick. Initial cases were confirmed in May 2020 in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Dogs develop ehrlichiosis after being bitten by a brown dog tick infected with Ehrlichia canis. Dogs cannot transmit this to one another.While this disease has been recorded in Western Australia and the Northern Territory at the moment, It is important to be vigilant if traveling with your dog in these northern areas. It is highly recommended that dog owners treat dogs for ticks regularly as a preventative measure. If traveling in these parts of Australia, check the DPI's page for updates.
At the time of writing, there have been no cases reported outside of these areas. In NSW, there were 3 reports of dogs that tested positive when re-entering the state from the Northern Territory. These dogs were treated by their veterinarian.
For more information about Ehrlichiosis, including signs and diagnosis, please use the following government sites:
Ehrlichiosis in dogs
Ehrlichiosis disease in dogs
For further advice on selecting the best flea & tick prevention products, call in & see us in the store, or email us: admin@weknowpets.com.au
