Did you know Tick season is here?
Whilst some ticks are harmless (there are over 70 different species in Australia) it is important to know how to recognize a paralysis tick. In Queensland, paralysis ticks can be found all year ‘round but incidence is higher from Spring to Autumn. The paralysis is the result of a toxin the tick releases as it feeds on the dogs blood. Some native bush land animals and livestock carry ticks. Long grasses and scrubby areas lend themselves to providing a tick friendly environment.
Rainfall from the previous year determines how heavy the tick season is and this parasite is found predominantly along the east coast of Australia. Pets should be checked daily so begin a routine of checking your dog’s body and you can make it an enjoyable massage at the same time. A paralysis tick can attach anywhere on a dog but are more commonly found around the front end of the body.
If you have a longhaired dog suited to clipping you may want to consider it during the hotter months of the year and this will make detection a little easier. Check your dog’s entire body all over. You need to look and feel. Pay special attention between the toes, around the anus, under the neck collar, on, around and under lips, around eyes and inside ears. With the ears, look inside and be sure to examine the pouch (that little fold of skin on the outer ear). Generally the tick appears as a small brown dot which most people would need a magnifying glass to recognize, but once a tick has attached and has become engorged with blood the body has increased around ten fold in size and it appears a bluish grey colour.
Paralysis ticks can also be harmful to humans and if you do find a tick on your dog, there may be more than one. Have some disposable gloves handy in case you locate a tick and a clip seal bag or lidded jar to contain a tick once removed.
Some symptoms of paralysis ticks in canines are difficultly rising or standing, different sounding barks, labored/rapid or noisy breathing, dilated pupils, gagging, coughing or vomiting.
Although no single tick treatment is 100% effective, please speak to your vet about prevention.
If your dog shows any of the above symptoms seek medical help immediately at your vet or a 24hr emergency veterinary hospital. In case the airway is compromised, do not offer food or water. Please do not wait until morning.
The video below will give you some important tips…
https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/how-to-remove-a-tick-from-dog-cat
Leah & Angela OMeara
Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)