Paralysis Ticks: 5 tips to protect your household pets!
Posted on Sunday 24th June 2018
Tick season has already begun in Australia, which means it’s time to take safety precautions to protect your pets. From September to March the number of ticks dramatically increase, as do the chances of your fur baby getting a tick…or two!
What are paralysis ticks?
Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of animals and humans. Paralysis ticks are the considered the most important tick in Australia by the Department of Health. This is because they account for over 95% of tick bites in Eastern Australia for humans as well as causing most tick-borne illnesses.
If you find a tick on you, kill it with alcohol or bug spray before attempting to remove it and if you feel unwell go see a health professional.
However, paralysis ticks have a greater effect on your pet then they do on you! The paralysis tick is a light grey or blue colour and has 8 legs.
Symptoms
Paralysis ticks can be found on any part of your pet’s body, however they are more commonly found on a pet’s head and neck area, chest/belly and the front of the leg. Paralysis ticks get their name as they release a toxin when they feed that causes paralysis. The tick releases the toxin via their saliva after attaching to the animal.
Tick paralysis caused by a paralysis tick bite is life threatening for your pet and is not to be taken lightly. Tick paralysis can result in coma and death; sudden death can even occur in the early stages of paralysis.
So here are common symptoms of tick paralysis to diligently look out for:
Swelling or soreness of a particular area
Dilated pupils
Limping or favouring other legs
Lethargy
Weakness, and wobbliness in the back legs, which progresses to involve the whole body.
Difficulty digesting food
Excessive salivation
Gurgling and choking
Vomiting or retching
Breathing becomes more laboured (often with a grunt, or groan).
Being unable to bark or meow due to throat paralysis
5 Tips to protect your pets
1. Check your pets!
Most people give their pets a rub, pat or cuddle numerous times a day. When providing your pet affection, you can strategically build in a tick check. All it involves is rubbing your hands all over your pet’s body feeling for lumps or tiny differences. Rolling them onto their back for a belly scratch is also ideal, as you can check their stomach area thoroughly.
2. Tick prevention collars
Tick collars are another choice of tick prevention. Tick collars can control paralysis ticks for up to six weeks. A tick collar is usually best for an outside dog, as the chemicals from the collar being rubbed onto the indoor furniture isn’t ideal. We have different options of tick collars available in store, make sure to ask us if you are unsure which to get.
3. Spot-on preventative treatments
Frontline Plus, a spot-on treatment, is the preferable option for cat owners. Frontline Plus is applied fortnightly on the back of a cat’s neck. This is because the only other option currently registered as safe tick prevention in cats is Frontline Spray, which can be difficult to apply. Cat owners need to be careful with tick prevention treatments, as some can be toxic for cats (eg. Advantix). Come into one of our stores and we can advise you on what is best for your pet.
4. Oral chews
Oral chews normally can provide longer protection (normally one – two months) then the spot-on treatments. However, oral chews work by poisoning the ticks when they taste your dogs’ blood, instead of preventing them from biting your dog to begin with. The benefit of chews though is that your pet will have no chemicals on the skin. This option is best for households with small children and cats.
5. Maintain your lawn
Ticks love to live in long grass. Humid and warm environments is where they thrive. Unfortunately, this means long grass is an oasis for ticks. A simple way to reduce the number of ticks around your home is to keep your lawn mown. This will also reduce your chances of snakes in your yard, so it’s a win-win!
To help protect your pet this summer by remembering to check them for ticks, keep your lawn short and purchase a tick treatment. Come into one of our stores and we will happily discuss the best method for protecting your pet against paralysis ticks.
