Ticks
Tick paralysis is the most common cause of death for dogs and cats on the Sunshine Coast. This is especially so around Pomona, Kin Kin and surrounds. These areas are high risk.
Paralysis ticks prefer bushland and scrubby areas but can be found in grasslands or even your own backyard. They rely on warm, humid weather and find it difficult to survive and breed in cool, dry climates.
Once the paralysis tick attaches to your pet by burrowing its mouthparts into the skin and sucking blood, it begins to produce a potent toxin that affects the central nervous system, causing a progressive paralysis.
If left untreated, paralysis leads to death.
Prevention is the best protection for your pet.
Daily thorough searches are paramount and it is advisable to mentally divide your pet into quarters when doing this so no area is missed. Use the fingertips to feel through your pets’ coat. Tick or tick craters can be felt as lumps on the skin surface. Ranging in size from a pin head to as large as a fingernail when fully engorged.
There are many prevention medications on the market. Sunshine Coast Vets recommend the following options to protect your pet:
Cats
- Frontline every 2 weeks
Dogs
- Bravecto chew every 3 months or
- Preventic Collar and Advantix every 2 weeks or
- Nexguard every month
- tick clip if necessary
Paralysis Tick symptoms include:
- Weakness or paralysis in the back legs, progressing to the front legs
- Wobbling and lack of coordination
- Coughing or gagging
- Change in Bark
- Grunting while breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Facial paralysis
- Drooling
- Vomiting or regurgitating
If your pet is showing any of the above signs please contact the clinic immediately. 5485 0088.
Please note that your pet can still pick up a Paralysis Tick whilst on prevention so daily searches of your pet is extremely important.
Please feel free to contact the clinic, our friendly staff are happy to answer all your questions.