Are you and your pet headed along the coast this summer? Make sure your pet is protected against paralysis ticks!
Paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus) are a species of tick that lives along the eastern coastline of Australia – mostly in New South Wales and Queensland, though they do live in Eastern Victoria as well. They’re mostly found in dense scrubby areas – so make sure your dog is covered before your next bushwalk. Thankfully they’re not usually found in our area, but travellers up north need to know about them.
Why do I need to worry about paralysis ticks? Paralysis ticks don’t usually cause immediate concern for humans, but when they attach to smaller animals like cats and dogs they inject a toxin into the host’s bloodstream that causes slow, progressive paralysis. A freshly attached tick is tiny and can be easily overlooked (especially if they tuck themselves inside an ear or a nostril) until they become engorged with blood. Once a tick is engorged enough to be seen, it has injected a significant amount of toxin into the host. It may be days or weeks until signs of tick intoxication are noticed.
What signs does it cause? Tick paralysis often starts out with a change in voice; a meow or bark will become softer or strangled. Vomiting, coughing, difficulty breathing and struggling to walk may all be noticed as the disease progresses.
Can it be treated? Yes. Once symptoms are noticed it is essential to get your pet to the nearest emergency vet for treatment. This will usually consist of a search for the tick (if your pet is fluffy, we might need to shave it to find the tick), and administration of tick antitoxin. Just removing the tick is not enough if symptoms are noticed, and there may be more than one tick on your pet. If your pet is severely ill, they may need other supportive care as well.
What should I do to prevent paralysis ticks in my pet? It’s important to make sure your pet is treated with a paralysis tick preventative before you travel, and is kept up to date while you are in tick risk areas. Check the labels carefully or ask your vet for advice. And even if your pet is covered, check your pet daily for any attached ticks and seek veterinary advice if you find one. Even if you don’t live in a tick risk area, it’s important to tell your vet if you’ve taken your pet travelling recently; these little pests can hitch a ride even down to us in the south!
