DOGS IN DANGER
A CAIRNS rescue dog’s tale of survival has been labelled a “miracle” after she defied the odds in a battle with a deadly paralysis tick just months after two major leg surgeries.
Whoopie, the six-year-old labrador cross, spent about 10 days in hospital at Cairns Veterinary Clinic after becoming infected with the dangerous tick and vets were unsure if she would make it.
But with a determination like they’ve never seen, she pulled through and has now recovered well.
Owner Nick De Gabriele said while Whoopie’s treatment had cost him thousands of dollars, saving her was never a question.
He said the connection between his 18-month-old daughter, Charlotte, and Whoopie was heartwarming.
“She had surgery on both back legs and then after that there was a paralysis tick,” he said.
“We got her from YAPS as a pup and I didn’t think we’d ever spend so much money on a dog, but the little one came along and she loves the dog.
“It was so hard seeing
Whoopie after the tick, she looked like a rough pup.”
Cairns Veterinary Clinic vet Adam Hakim said Whoopie’s persistence was rare, with the majority of animals not surviving paralysis ticks.
“It’s pretty remarkable that dog stayed in hospital this long and survived,” Dr Hakim said.
“Usually they get better within about four days.
“It’s not very often that a dog fights this hard for this long and they survive.”
Dr Hakim said paralysis tick cases across Cairns were on the rise, with up to two cases a day.
He urged all animal owners to keep up to date with tick prevention measures.
“Anecdotally, us and a lot of vet clinics in town think there’s going to be a really bad tick season,” he said.
“With the higher cases, I think we’re going to get a higher death rate.
“It’s more important this year to protect your animals.
“It’s a horrible disease and you get it time and time again.
“One of the worst things about paralysis tick toxicity is that it’s really unpredictable,” Dr Hakim said.