KEEP YOUR PET SAFE DURING TICK SEASON
NEW PETS
In Australia, it is estimated that 10,000 dogs and cats a year are affected by paralysis ticks – with many dying as a result. Founder of Animal Emergency Service and veterinarian Dr Rob Webster tells us how to keep our pets safe in tick season. WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS OF TICK PARALYSIS? Watch out for any signs of weakness. At the earliest stage, your dog or cat might not want to walk upstairs. Pets may show wobbliness when walking, which progresses to paralysis in all four legs, and they will be unable to stand. Other signs of tick paralysis you might see are changes to the voice (bark or meow), vomiting or breathing difficulty. Visit your veterinarian for an examination if you see any of these signs. WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP MY PET FROM BEING BITTEN? Every cat and dog who lives in a tick region needs to be on effective, long-lasting tick prevention. Tick paralysis is a horrifying illness which kills too many beautiful pets every year. Our best chance to reduce the suffering caused to our pets is to make sure they are all receiving tick prevention.
Daily coat searches are also important and most pets love them. Just pretend you are gently massaging their skin all over with the fingertips “walking” through the coat feeling for bumps. Start at the head and work your hands down to each foot, ensuring you check every fold and between each claw for any lumps. If you feel a bump, split the hair coat and have a look at what that is; you will be able to see whether it’s a paralysis tick or not. Ninety per cent of ticks are found forward of the pet’s shoulders, so really focus on the neck and head. DO OTHER ANIMALS BESIDES DOGS AND CATS GET TICKS? The Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is a deadly little critter and can cause paralysis in dogs, cats, sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, horses and birds. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FIND A TICK ON MY PET? If a tick is found, it needs to be removed immediately with fingernails, tweezers or a tick-removing device. After removal of the tick, pet owners need to contact their local vet immediately.