Pet Care Notes

PREVENTATIVE TICK CONTROL

CAIRNS VETERINARY CLINIC RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING TICK CONTROL REGIMES FOR YOUR PET:

FOR DOGS - ADVANTIX combines the proven flea control of ADVANTAGE with Tick Control. Used as a “spot on” every 2 weeks it protects your dog from paralysis ticks, other ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and sand flies.

FOR CATS – Use FRONTLINE SPRAY every 3 weeks.

* REMEMBER – NO PREVENTATIVE TICK CONTROL IS 100% EFFECTIVE, DAILY SEARCHING IS RECOMMENDED.

HOW DO I RECOGNISE THE SYMPTOMS OF TICK PARALYSIS?

The host animal usually shows no signs of illness for approximately four days, however once the dog or cat begins to show symptoms it deteriorates rapidly and could die within 48 hours.

Symptoms of Tick paralysis include:

  • Loss of coordination in the hind legs
  • Change in voice/bark
  • Retching, coughing or vomiting
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Glazed look in eyes.
  • Progressive paralysis to forelegs.
  • Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing.
  • Sudden death.

 

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU FIND A TICK OR YOUR PET BEGINS SHOWING SYMPTOMS?

  1. Contact your veterinary surgeon immediately for advice. If not treated early with antiserum, death frequently occurs from respiratory paralysis.
  2. Search your pet thoroughly for a tick. Pay particular attention to the head and neck area, armpits, groin and paws as paralysis ticks especially like to attach in these areas.
  3. Do NOT give any food, water or medications by mouth to your pet as an animal affected by tick paralysis cannot swallow properly.
  4. Spray the tick (if found) with an insecticide spray such as “Pea Beau” to kill it. Once the tick is dead it is easy to remove by firmly grasping the tick between thumb and finger and firmly tugging the tick out (keep the tick for identification by your veterinary surgeon).
  5. Keep your pet calm, in a cool dark place until you take it to your vet.

 

HOW DO I IDENTIFY THE PARALYSIS TICK?

There are a few species of tick which you may find on your pet, such as the common brown dog tick, which cause irritation but are quite harmless in small numbers (large numbers of ticks can cause anemia). Being an arachnid all ticks have mouthparts and eight legs when adults. The paralysis tick varies in appearance from the others as it is blue-grey in colour with a brown line (in the shape of a shield) encircling the body. Their legs all originate from the front of the body around the mouthparts. A fully engorged female reaches up to 15mm to18mm in size and firmly attaches to the animal. When removed they leave a hard ulcerated sore in the skin which we call a crater.

 

HOW TO PREVENT TICK PARALYSIS

Although tick antiserum is available to treat your pet if administrated early enough, the serum is very expensive and prevention is always better than a cure.

  1. Be aware of the symptoms of tick paralysis and seek early treatment if you suspect your pet of being affected.
  2. Keep your pets coat short– longer haired dogs and cats are more susceptible to tick paralysis as it’s hard to find a tick on them, especially if they are knotted or matted.
  3. Avoid high risk areas such as bush land, creeks, long grass etc.
  4. Search your pet daily for ticks – thoroughly search your pet’s skin and coat every day, even if tick control has been applied. Ticks or tick craters can be felt as lumps on the skin surface.
  5. Use a preventative tick control – the application of products specifically designed for tick control can greatly reduce the risk of tick paralysis