Paralysis Ticks |
Where are Paralysis Ticks Commonly Found?
The paralysis tick inhabits the coastal regions of Australia's east coast, extending from Victoria up to North Queensland. In the northern parts of Australia, the ticks are found all year round while in the more lower areas, tick season begins in spring and ends in late autumn. These ticks are not always restricted to the immediate coastline and have been known to inhabit suitable inland environments |
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How do they cause paralysis?
Paralysis ticks suck blood from the host animal and while doing so, secrete saliva which contains toxins that are absorbed and cause signs of paralysis and poisoning. |
Identifying Paralysis Ticks
Once a tick has found itself a place to attach, it firmly embeds itself in the skin, begins to feed and procedes to dramatically increase in size. The area around where the tick has attached itself usually becomes red and what looks like a crater may appear. If you look close enough, you can see the ticks tiny legs poking out from where it has attached to the skin. |
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| The most common types of ticks found on pets and livestock are the paralysis tick, the brown dog tick and the bush tick. The latter two are brown in colour, where as the paralysis tick has a slate grey body which becomes lighter as it grows. |
Symptoms of Tick Paralysis
Symptoms of tick paralysis can vary greatly in dogs and cats and not all cases follow a simple progression. Animals have been known to die suddenly in the very early stages of paralysis.
Pet owners should watch for the following:
Retching, coughing or vomiting
Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
Loss of appetite
Change in voice or bark
Loss of coordination in the hind legs - wobbling, or unable to get up
Progressive paralysis involving the front legs |
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Should your pet display any of these symptoms, it is important to keep them calm and comfortable and seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. Do not offer food or water as this can lead do difficulties if your pet cannot swallow properly. If you have located the tick, remove it as soon as possible without squeezing its abdomen and continue to the vet.
Once at the vet, a thorough tick search will take place to ensure there are no more ticks and an anti-toxin will be given to aid recovery. Most pets generally stay in hospital for several days to ensure no further complications occur. |
How can you help avoid tick paralysis?
If possible, during the tick season, try to avoid taking your dog to areas that may be home to ticks such as coastal areas and bushlands. Keep lawns and shrubs short and remove compost material from your backyard.
Getting into the habit of performing routine tick searches on your pets can really benefit. Not only does it give you the opportunity to find and remove ticks, it also gets you familiar with your cat or dog's entire body, meaning you will notice any changes early.
Performing a Tick Search:
● When performing a tick search, start at the animals nose and slowly examine their face, ears, lips and eyes. Use your fingertips to feel through your pet's coat. A tick will feel like a small lump on the surface of the skin, generally no bigger than a pea.
● Search all around the animals eyes, inside their ears and on their inner lips. Be sure to remove the animals collar before progressing to the neck area.
● Continue down the shoulders to the forelegs, remembering to check between the animals toes and under their paws.
● Next examine the chest, back, belly, hind legs, around the anus and the entire length of the tail.
● Should you find a tick, it should be removed as quickly as possible, without squeezing the ticks engorged abdomen and take your pet immediately to the vet.
● The application of products specifically intended for tick control can greatly reduce the risk of tick paralysis for your pet. Here at Lane Cove Veterinary Hospital we can supply you with a product to suit your pet. Please call or visit so we can help you chose which one is right for you. |
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