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Symptoms Of Tick Paralysis

If your dog or cat lives in or visits a high risk area for paralysis ticks, it is important to look out for the symptoms of paralysis. Symptoms of poisoning may occur up to 5 days following the initial tick attachment.

The symptoms to watch for are:

• Loss of coordination in the hind legs
• Change in voice or bark
• Retching, coughing or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Progressive paralysis to include the forelegs
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing

Not all cases follow a simple progression and the animal can die suddenly in very early stages or paralysis.

What To Do If Your Pet Shows Symptoms Of Tick Paralysis

1. Keep your pet calm, in a cool, dark place until you take it to your vet.

2. Do not offer ford or water, as this may lead to pneumonia and breathing difficulties if your pet can't swallow properly.

3. Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

At the vet

Your veterinarian can give your pet an anti-toxin to help recovery. The antitoxin (or serum) is expensive since it comes from dogs bred for their immunity to ticks. Other specialised procedures such as sedation and treatment for respiratory complications may be vital for your pet's complete recovery. Your pet will probably require hospitalisation for several days.

How To Protect Your Pet From Paralysis Ticks

a) Avoid the tick habitat

During the tick season, don't take your dog walking in bush areas known to harbour large numbers of ticks. Keep lawns and shrubs short and remove compost material from backyards.

b) Search pets every day for ticks

The most essential preventative measure is a thorough search of your pet' skin and coat every day, even if tick control products have been applied. This method gives you 2 or 3 chances of finding a tick before serious tick paralysis occurs, since the tick must generally be attached far at least 3 days before causing paralysis.

Be systematic with your search.

Use the fingertips to feel through the animals coat. Ticks or tick craters can be felt as lumps on the skin surface.

• Start at the animals nose and slowly examine the face, ears, lips and eyes. Most ticks are found forward of the front legs, especially on the face, neck and ears, however be careful of skin folds around the lips and ears.
• Search around the eyes and on top of the forehead carefully before checking the neck.
• Remove collars and search through the skin folds in the neck. Continue down the shoulders to the forelegs, remember to check between the toes and under the armpits. Examine the chest, back, belly, around the tail and anus and the back legs.

If you find a tick, remove it (see section c) and don't forget to search for more. Some dogs can be infested with many ticks at one time.

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