Paralysis Tick Alert (Northern Beaches)    posted: 5 Dec. 2023
 

It was with great sorrow and concern, that I had recently learnt that one of my adored clients, had been affected by Paralysis Ticks leading to the pet being lost in a very short space of time. -Especially considering that my own cat also had to be hospitalised suffering from the toxin about a month ago. I therefore hope to make available to you as many resources as I possibly can to prevent this from happening to your pet. -I am not a vet and your ultimate advice should be from your vet, I have just put together information that I found useful, and that I feel may save your pet one day.
 

How big  are paralysis ticks?
They can be as small as 2mm in diameter or ballooning up to 1cm when fully engorged with blood.

Where do they come from?
Bandicoots, possums and other small mammals and marsupials are traditional tick-carrying hosts that bring them into an area. Tick eggs are often on leaf mulch .

How to search your pet for paralysis ticks?

1. Search your pets thoroughly daily. Use your fingertips to feel through the coat. Ticks or tick craters can be felt as lumps on the skin's surface.

2. Most ticks are found forward of the front legs, especially on the face, neck and ears. However, it is important to search your entire pet.

3. Start at your pet's nose and slowly examine the face, forehead and ears (outer and inner surface of the ear flap). Also search the eyes and lips and the skin/fur around the eyes and lips. Carefully examine all skin folds.

4. Remove any collars and search the neck area thoroughly.

5. Search the shoulder area and front legs. Remember to check between each toe and under surface of the front feet. Don't forget to check under the 'armpits'.

6. Examine the chest area, all along the back, sides, belly, groin area, around the tail and anus and the thighs, back legs, in between the back-leg toes and feet.

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What if you find a paralysis tick on your pet?
The RSPCA has issued detailed instructions: instruction guide
 

If a tick is found it should be removed immediately. Your local veterinarian can show you the best way to remove a tick. Stay calm and keep your pet calm which is important in tick paralysis cases.

1. If possible, wear disposable gloves. Have a container with a lid or zip lock bag ready to put the tick in with some alcohol to kill it. Tweezers or a tick remover (a fork like device that slides on either side of the tick and removes it without touching its body) are helpful when removing ticks.

2. When removing a tick, avoid disturbing the body of the tick (don’t squeeze the body). Aim to remove the tick by its head at the point of insertion into the pets’ skin. Twist as you pull it out to help remove the mouth parts as well. If you do find a tick, calmly do a quick search for any other ticks as some animals can have more than one tick.

3. Then contact your veterinarian immediately. If it is after hours, contact a 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital. Do not wait until the next morning. Always contact a veterinarian even if you cannot see any symptoms so they can provide critical advice

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What are the most prevalent symptoms to watch out for?

Watch out for "a change in voice" and any odd breathing behaviours, unusual levels of salivating, coughing or vomiting. The signs a pet is under attack can often be vague, until it is too late. Weakness in the hind legs can also occur.

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Additional precautions.

-Please bear in mind that some Paralysis Tick prevention products for dogs can be fatally toxic for cats.
-Some of my clients have also been informed to shorten the medication cycles of common preventative products used. Veterinarians in the area have found that the efficacy of these products tended to reduce quicker than the manufacturer's prescribed intervals, leaving the pets vulnerable towards the end of the cycle. Speak to your vet about this.

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The RSPCA has issued a handy instruction guide to help you look for and manage ticks.​

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