Dr Katrina Warren warns dog owners to protect their pooches and be prepared for the consequences of ticks.
Paralysis tick cases have already started making their way to veterinary clinics across Australia with experts predicting a bad season ahead. Now is the most important time for pet owners to proactively protect their dog.
Dr Katrina has seen the devastating effects paralysis ticks have first hand and is urging pet owners to be vigilant and to talk to a local vet about paralysis ticks now, to avoid heartache later.
“Over the past twenty years I have seen many heart breaking situations where people have lost their beloved dogs to tick paralysis or spent thousands of dollars in vet bills. These ticks can be lethal and preventative treatment, coupled with daily searching for ticks on your dog, is absolutely essential. Talk to your vet and be prepared this tick season with the right plan for long-lasting protection.”
Australia’s paralysis tick season runs from September to March – the time when adult female ticks are most abundant. This can vary region to region. Unique to Australia’s eastern coast, the paralysis tick – Ixodes holocyclus – is the single most dangerous parasite for dogs. Just one tick is capable of causing paralysis and even death.
Bravecto paralysis tick fact sheet
- The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is the single most dangerous parasite for dogs on the eastern coast of Australia with just one tick capable of causing paralysis and even death.
- The paralysis tick causes paralysis in a variety of forms, but typically starts with weakness of the hindquarters, progressing to total paralysis of all four legs.
- Other early symptoms include the appearance that the dog has something stuck in its throat, vomiting or heavy, loud breathing.
- Dogs should be inspected daily for ticks and, if a tick is found, it needs to be removed immediately with finger nails, tweezers or a tick-removing device.
- After removal of the tick, if owners are unsure as to whether their dog is showing any symptoms of tick paralysis, they need to contact their local vet immediately.
- Due to the devastating effects of paralysis tick on dogs, treatment following infestation is not always successful.
- Prevention of paralysis tick infestation is definitely better than cure and Australian dog owners are urged to speak to their local vet about the latest prevention products for paralysis ticks as soon as possible.
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