Paralysis Ticks

What harm can ticks cause?

Paralysis ticks are blood sucking parasites that attach to animals and release a toxin in their saliva that can cause paralysis and death. These ticks are only found in a 20-kilometre band that follows the eastern coastline of Australia, and in the central highlands of Tasmania. Tick paralysis affects up to 100,000 domestic animals annually, with up to 10,000 companion animals being referred to veterinary surgeons for treatment, so it is an important condition for people and their pets that live in the paralysis tick area.

What are the signs of tick paralysis?

Animals affected by ticks typically have a loss of appetite and voice, become weak in their back legs and uncoordinated. The paralysis extends to affect the whole animal which becomes completely limp and flaccid. There can be drooling and vomiting, and eventually the breathing is affected leading to distress and death.

More information about how each species is affected can be found by clicking on the links below:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Cattle & Sheep

Treatment

The first step is to remove all ticks ensuring that all parts of the tick, especially the mouth parts, are extracted. Tick antivenom is recommended in cases where significant paralysis is evident. It has been shown to bring about complete resolution of paralysis even in extremely severe cases.

Survival Rate

A recent survey found that only 5% of dogs taken to the vet died from tick paralysis and younger dogs were more likely to survive.

How To Protect Your Pet From Paralysis Ticks

Prevention of tick paralysis is based on avoiding bush areas, especially in the tick season (year round in the north, and spring to autumn in the south) and thoroughly searching your pet every day for ticks. This gives you 2 or 3 chances of finding a tick before serious tick paralysis occurs, since the tick must generally be attached for at least 3 days before causing signs.