18/08/2024
๐ชฒ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ชฒ
We have already seen several deadly paralysis tick cases in our hospital this month and with the Spring quickly approaching, we are sharing this article by Greencross Vets with you to make sure all pet owners are informed of the potential risks.
๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ญ๐บ๐ด๐ช๐ด ๐ต๐ช๐ค๐ฌ๐ด?
There are around 75 different species of ticks in Australia, but the most common are the brown tick and the deadly paralysis tick. The paralysis tick is by far the most dangerous parasite for your pet.
When paralysis ticks attach to our pets, they inject a neurotoxin, which causes progressive paralysis and respiratory depression. If not treated, these animals will succumb to the deadly effects of tick toxin.
๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ณ๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ญ๐บ๐ด๐ช๐ด ๐ต๐ช๐ค๐ฌ๐ด ๐ง๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ?
They are commonly found in bushy coastal areas along the east coast of Australia, from North Queensland to Eastern Victoria. Although ticks are most prevalent from spring to autumn, they can occur at any time of year.
Traditionally, ticks were โseasonal.โ However, depending on where you live, you may see paralysis ticks significantly more often. Ticks attach to pets anywhere, so check their ears, back legs, between their toes, and under their tail. Most ticks are found from the shoulders forward.
๐๐ข๐ฏ ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ญ๐บ๐ด๐ช๐ด ๐๐ช๐ค๐ฌ๐ด ๐๐ช๐ต๐ฆ ๐๐ฐ๐จ๐ด ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ต๐ด?
Yes, paralysis ticks can infect and be fatal to both dogs and cats. Although they are more commonly seen on dogs, we regularly treat cats for paralysis ticks, whether they go outdoors or are indoor-only.
Unfortunately, even with intensive treatment, many pets do not survive. Itโs important to keep your dog or cat on a tick preventative to ensure their health and safety as much as possible.
๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ฅ๐ฐ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ต๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ญ๐บ๐ด๐ช๐ด ๐ต๐ช๐ค๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ช๐ฌ๐ฆ?
Paralysis ticks can be identified by their grey body and legs close to the head. Their legs are the feature that best distinguishes them from other ticks in the same regions. Paralysis ticks have one pair of brown legs closest to their head, then two pairs of white legs and then one pair of brown legs closest to the body.
It is not always easy to identify paralysis ticks. If the tick is not fully engorged, its body shape and colour will be hard to determine. Often, a veterinarian will be the only person who can accurately identify the type of tick; it is vital that you take your pet to a vet if you have found a tick.
๐๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ค๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ค๐ฌ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ต ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ ๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ญ๐บ๐ด๐ช๐ด ๐ต๐ช๐ค๐ฌ๐ด
Tick checks should be performed on your pet daily. To check for ticks, gently run your fingers all over your pet, from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail. Youโre looking for a bump that is the tick itself or a wound or area of swelling that may be a crater where a tick was previously attached.
Paralysis ticks are extremely difficult to find when they first attach to the pet. They are so small that sometimes it is easier to feel them with your fingers than see them amongst the fur. When you see a paralysis tick on your pet, it may look like a hard, pale lump on their skin. However, their appearance can change depending on how much blood they have consumed.
Engorged paralysis ticks are characterised by long mouthparts, pale bodies, and eight legs grouped near the head. Their middle two pairs of legs are paler than their outer legs.
๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ต ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฅ๐ฐ ๐ช๐ง ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ท๐ฆ ๐ง๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ข ๐ต๐ช๐ค๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐บ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ต?
Remove the tick immediately. Using your thumb and index fingers, gently pinch the section of your petโs skin to which the tick has attached itself. Then, get as close to the skin as possible and firmly pull the tick out of the skin. Specially designed tick removers and twisters are also available to assist with this process.
Donโt panic if the head of the tick remains attached to your pet; without its body, the tick is unable to inject any more toxin. Place the tick in a jar so your local vet can identify it.
Next, take your pet to the vet straight away. Even if theyโre not displaying symptoms of tick paralysis, itโs important to get them checked by a professional. The symptoms may take time to appear, and by this time, your pet may be showing early signs of paralysis. A quick response can make all the difference.
๐๐ช๐ค๐ฌ ๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ญ๐บ๐ด๐ช๐ด ๐ด๐บ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ต๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ด
The first signs of tick paralysis include a lack of appetite, lethargy, change in bark or meow, gagging and increasingly worse wobbliness or staggering in the back legs.
As the paralysis progresses, it affects the breathing muscles and the petโs ability to swallow. Paralysis ticks are deadly without appropriate veterinary treatment, including antitoxin. The sooner vet treatment is initiated, the quicker pets may be able to recover.
Full list of symptoms:
Loss of appetite.
Staggered walking, difficulty jumping.
Wobbliness, especially in the hind legs.
Reluctance to jump.
Weakness or appearing lethargic.
Collapse.
Vomiting, gagging or retching.
Change in bark or meow.
Difficulty breathing.
Difficulty swallowing and pooling saliva.
If your pet is showing signs of a paralysis tick bite, call a vet immediately.
๐๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ ๐ข ๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ญ๐บ๐ด๐ช๐ด ๐ต๐ช๐ค๐ฌ ๐ง๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฎ ๐ข ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ต
To remove a tick, use tick removers or your thumb and forefinger to grip it as close to the petโs skin as possible. Once you have a good grip, firmly pull the tick off the skin.
๐๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ฑ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ท๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐ฑ๐ข๐ณ๐ข๐ญ๐บ๐ด๐ช๐ด ๐ต๐ช๐ค๐ฌ ๐ฃ๐ช๐ต๐ฆ๐ด
The best way to reduce the chances of your pet being bitten by a paralysis tick is to make sure theyโre on a tick preventative, whether that be a chew, spot-on, or tick collar. Rinses and sprays are available but are less effective. Popular tick preventatives for dogs include, but are not limited to:
Chews, such as Bravecto, Credelio Plus, Nexgard, Nexgard Spectra, Simparica, and Simparica Trio.
Spot on treatments, such as Advantix, Frontline, and Bravecto.
Tick collars like Seresto.
Tick medications for dogs may be toxic to cats; ensure you use a cat-safe product for your cat or if you have cats in your household.
Chat with the team at your local Greencross Vets to discuss which tick preventatives best suit your pet.
It is important to note that no tick prevention product is 100%, and daily tick searches are imperative.
Daily tick searches, which involve running your hands through your petโs entire coat (including their face and ears, down the legs, paws, over their stomach, and to the tip of their tail), are recommended.
๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ - ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
