TICK PARALYSIS
Tick paralysis season has historically run from October until April. However, we do
see cases as early as June.
Ticks are blind and wait on long grass or bushes for your pet (or humans) to pass
and then they jump on. They are attracted to carbon dioxide, so they travel towards
the head. The female tick buries her head and large mouthparts into your pets’ skin
to feed on blood. She then goes off and lays between 3000 and 10,000 eggs.
Their saliva contains a toxin that progressively paralyses your pet – which can take a
few days to become apparent. It often starts with their hind legs – but not always.
Clinical signs include –

 Weakness in the legs
 Vomiting
 Trouble breathing (paralysis of chest muscles)
 Changed voice or bark (paralysis of larynx)
 Drooling
 Coughing

Treatment.
Urgent treatment hospital is needed with tick paralysis. Tick antiserum will be
administered via an intravenous catheter. This stops more toxin from binding to the
muscles, so it stops it from getting worse but does not make it better. It gives the
body time to reverse the effects of the toxin already bound.
Often, we need to help affected animal with their breathing, so they are hooked up to
a ventilator. This requires 24 hour hospital care at a specialist centre. Secondary
problems such as hypothermia (low body temperature) and inhalation pneumonia
can be life threatening.
Prevention
Tips for helping prevent tick paralysis –
 Keep lawns short and gardens tidy
 Stay on paths in parks – particularly those with long grass.
 Tablets or spot-ons particularly those with newer active ingredients.
 Keep hair short and tidy .
 Check your pet EVERY day when you have cuddles
Around eyes, lips, ears, under their collar
Between the toes, under armpits and groin.
It’s better to feel than just look. Ticks feel like a big wart.
 Use a ‘tick twister’ to remove any ticks.