Paralysis Tick Emergency Care

Tick paralysis in dogs and cats

The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is a small, eight-legged tick that produces a potent toxin. This toxin causes paralysis in dogs and cats, and is potentially fatal. Paralysis ticks are commonly found on the east coast of Australia, and favour warm, humid conditions. This unfortunately means that they are a serious problem for pets in the Sydney area, particularly the Northern beaches. It’s important to ensure that your pet is on tick prevention and that you search them daily for any potential ticks.

Some areas of Sydney are more prone to ticks than others, but none are absolutely tick-free, this is why we recommend tick prevention to be used all year round for both cats and dogs.

What does a paralysis tick look like?

When found on pets they tend to have their mouth parts buried in the skin. This creates a site of inflammation, which may be painful to touch. Once the tick is removed, it tends to leave a crater.

Are blue to light-grey in colour

Are blue to light-grey in colour

Range from approximately 2mm in diameter to over 1cm in diameter (usually the bigger ticks are engorged with blood)

Range from approximately 2mm in diameter to over 1cm in diameter (usually the bigger ticks are engorged with blood)

Have orange forelimbs

Have orange forelimbs

Can feel like a small wart or lump to touch

Can feel like a small wart or lump to touch

What are the signs of tick paralysis?

Signs of tick paralysis vary depending on the length of time the tick has been on the animal, as well as the potency of the toxin, which can vary between ticks.
Signs include:

A change in bark or meow

Increased or laboured breathing
Coughing
Excessive salivation
Vomiting or regurgitation
Weakness in the hind legs, which typically progresses to involve the forelimbs also
Reluctance to get up or walk
Because the ability to breathe and swallow are affected, some animals will inhale saliva or food (aspirate) resulting in life-threatening pneumonia.

If you find a tick on your pet contact your vet immediately

It is important to seek veterinary attention to determine whether your pet needs tick anti-toxin. Until then, there are some important steps you can take to reduce the risk of complications:

Keep your pet calm, quiet and cool. Excitement, exercise and overheating can exacerbate illness associated with tick paralysis

Remove food and water. Your pet’s ability to swallow may be compromised, putting your pet at risk of aspiration pneumonia
Search for other ticks on your pet, click here to see how to search
The toxin produced by paralysis ticks is very potent. Even when the tick is removed, most animals get worse before they get better – this is because the toxin that is already in the animal’s body continues to circulate and attach to nerves for a period of time.

How is tick paralysis treated?

Treatment of paralysis tick starts with tick anti-venom, which is administered as soon as possible by your veterinarian. Other treatments used depend on the severity of tick paralysis, but include:

Intravenous fluids to maintain hydration
Sedation to reduce excitement and prevent breathing difficulties
Medications to decrease salivation
Antibiotics for treatment of pneumonia
Oxygen therapy
Anti-emetics to prevent vomiting and aspiration

Can dogs and cats develop immunity to ticks?

Dogs and cats may develop immunity to ticks, but this requires repeated exposure to ticks – each time with the risk of paralysis and death.
Unfortunately where immunity does occur it is often very short-lived. There is currently no vaccination against the toxin produced by paralysis ticks.

Sydney Animal Hospitals’ approach to tick prevention

Prevention of tick paralysis is essential to maintain the health of your pet. There is a range of excellent products available to repel and kill ticks but nothing is 100% effective. The ideal prevention strategy depends on the lifestyle of your pet. 

At Sydney Animal Hospitals we can offer your pet different approved tick
treatments, which now include a new ‘spot on’. This is an effective tick treatment lasting for six months and has been seen to be 99% successful in repelling ticks.
Ask our team about our Health Care Plans and have your parasite prevention delivered to your home.

Providing Animal Hospital Care with Flexible Payment Options

Like any member of your family, a unexpected illness or injury can happen to your pet at any time. In many instances the cost of the optimal treatment for your pet can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars.

To help with these unexpected costs Sydney Animal Hospitals offer a number of payment options such as Zip, VetPay, cash and credit card.

If you have pet insurance you may be able to claim on the spot and only pay the gap with GapOnly™

SYDNEY ANIMAL HOSPITALS ACCEPT

7 Sydney Animal Hospital Locations Across Sydney

Sydney Animal Hospitals have 7 locations across Sydney for your convenience

Newtown

Open 7 Days

69-73 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville NSW 2043

(02) 9519 4111

Inner West

Open 7 Days

1A Northumberland Ave, Stanmore NSW 2048

(02)9516 1466

Norwest

Open 7 Days

Unit 8/1-3 Celebration Drive Bella Vista NSW 2153

(02) 8883 0411

Kellyville

Open 7 Days

106 Windsor Rd, Kellyville NSW 215

(02)8883 0533

Baulkham Hills

Open 7 Days

472 Windsor Rd, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

(02) 9157 5557

Newport

Open 7 Days

1 Palm Rd (Corner of Barrenjoey Rd), Newport, NSW 2106

(02) 9997 4609

Avalon

Open 6 Days

710 Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach NSW 2107

(02) 9918 0833

7 Sydney Animal Hospital Locations Across Sydney

Sydney Animal Hospitals have 7 locations across Sydney for your convenience

Newtown

Open 7 Days

69-73 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville NSW 2043

Inner West

Open 7 Days

1A Northumberland Ave, Stanmore NSW 2048

Norwest

Open 7 Days

Unit 8/1-3 Celebration Drive Bella Vista NSW 2153

Kellyville

Open 7 Days

106 Windsor Rd, Kellyville NSW 2155

Baulkham Hills

Open 7 Days

472 Windsor Rd, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

Newport

Open 7 Days

1 Palm Rd (Corner of Barrenjoey Rd), Newport, NSW 2106

Avalon

Open 7 Days

710 Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach NSW 2107

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