Help! I’ve found a paralysis tick on my pet! What do I do?
Tick season has arrived in sunny Port Macquarie. We’ve actually just been named as a tick hot spot for the North Coast! Living in the Hastings region means that ticks will be found just about everywhere. Obviously there are “hotspots” such as reserves, the scrub between the road and the beach, and any bushland. Signs of tick paralysis may include:
Help! I’ve found a paralysis tick on my pet! What do I do?
A change in bark or meow
Increased or laboured breathing
Coughing
Excess salivation or exaggerated swallowing action
Vomiting or regurgitation
Weakness/wobbliness in the hind limbs, which may progress to the fore limbs also
Reluctance to get up or walk
It is important to seek veterinary attention to determine whether your pet needs treatment with tick anti-serum. If you’re concerned, it’s in your pets best interests to seek veterinary advice. Some times it may take up to 24-72 hours for clinical signs to develop.
Until then, there are some important steps you can take to reduce the risk of complications.
Remove the tick as soon as it is found. Save the tick for identification purposes, if possible. And remember, there may be more than one, so keep searching!! If you don’t feel comfortable removing the tick yourself, present your pet to the veterinary hospital and we can remove it for you.
Keep your pet calm, quiet and cool. Excitement, exercise and overheating can exacerbate symptoms associated with tick paralysis.
Remove food and water. Your pets ability to swallow may be compromised, putting your pet at risk of aspiration pneumonia.
For ease of compliance, NexGard is a once a month oral chewable that protects against fleas and ticks including paralysis ticks. Alternatively, Bravecto is an oral chewable given every three months that protects against fleas and ticks including paralysis ticks. Both products are registered for use in dogs from 8 weeks of age and over 2kg bodyweight. Allow us to help you choose the best product based on your individual circumstances. You must be careful to dose your pet accordingly using the recommended manufacturer weight variation on the packet. If you have a puppy who is fast growing, ask us about giving the next size up (it’s very safe to do this!) so your pet doesn’t outgrow the dose and be placed at risk.
Frontline spray is the only product registered for use in cats. It must be applied at the paralysis tick dose every 2-3 weeks. If you find this challenging, we can do this for you.
Remember, no product is 100% effective so DAILY searching of your pet is a MUST!