Paralysis Tick Treatment and Recovery

Paralysis ticks can be fatal to cats and dogs, which is why it’s so important to act quickly if you find one on your pet. The two most common ticks – brown and paralysis – are active year-round in Australia, but spring and summer are when they are most prevalent, and your pets are most at risk. If you live in a tick-prone region, you should check your pet daily, paying close attention to the face and neck, as these are the most common attachment areas, also making sure to look under their collar, and the rest of their body, including their ears and between their toes, as the ticks can really be anywhere. Here’s a guide to what to do if you find a tick on your pet.

What to do if you find a tick on your dog or cat

Identifying a paralysis tick on cats and dogs

During spring and summer, daily tick checks are advised for pets living in tick-prone areas. It’s important to note that early detection of a paralysis tick is quite challenging, as they will be very small and hard to see amongst your pet’s fur. You’ll likely feel them before you see them. The engorged paralysis tick appears as a hard grey lump on your pet’s skin and its size will depend on the amount of blood it has consumed. It is recommended to have any tick you find on your pet identified by your vet, as they can often be difficult to distinguish.

paralysis tick identification chart

Removing a paralysis tick from cats and dogs

If you discover a paralysis tick on your pet, it should be removed immediately. If you have a specially designed tick-removal tool, use it, but if you don’t have these at hand, use your thumb and index fingers to gently pinch the skin around the tick. Get as close to the skin as possible and pull the tick out.

If the head of the tick remains attached to your pet, there’s no need to worry – it’s no longer able to inject your pet with toxins. If you are unable to remove the tick, please keep your pet calm and take them to the vet so the tick can be removed as soon as possible.

When to take your pet to the vet

Once you’ve removed the tick, take your pet to your local Greencross Vets, bringing the tick in a jar so it can be identified. Even if your pet isn’t showing any worrying symptoms, they will still need a trip to the vet to be assessed. They may be in the early stages of paralysis, so acting quickly will make all the difference. Depending on the location of tick attachment, size of the pet, and even the time of year, tick paralysis symptoms can vary greatly, and the advice for their treatment or care may be vastly different.

Paralysis tick aftercare

Once your pet has been discharged from your local Greencross Vets following treatment for paralysis tick, please follow your vet’s instructions. Recovery takes time, and special care when they return home is vital as they may take a few weeks to return to their usual selves. It’s important that your dog remains calm and quiet as they recuperate and are taken back to the vet if you have any concerns with their recovery.

Rest and exercise

Rest is essential for your dog or cat’s recovery from a paralysis tick, so they shouldn’t be allowed to exercise or run until your vet has given the all clear to return to normal activities. Paralysis tick toxin affects the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, the muscles used for breathing, as well as urination and body temperature control, so it is very important to not allow the pet to become too hot, or exhaust themselves trying to do too much too quickly.

Food and water

Your pet’s ability to swallow may have been affected by the tick’s toxin. Your vet would have given strict instructions to follow regarding the type of food to give, and it is recommended to keep their water bowls elevated to make it easier for them to swallow. And, if you see them coughing or gagging, it’s essential to contact your local Greencross Vets.

Ongoing symptoms and warning signs

Following treatment for a paralysis tick, if you think your pet is not making steady improvements in their clinical signs, or is worsening don’t hesitate to contact your local Greencross Vets as soon as possible. You may notice that your dog’s bark is a bit harsh or that your cat’s meow is not as strong as normal – this will take time to return.

Contact a Vet

Preventing paralysis ticks on cats and dogs

Preventative treatments for ticks should be a regular step in your pet’s ongoing health care. There are a range of preventative tick treatments including topical treatments, tablets, flavoured chews, and collars, so you can find the right approach for your pet. Feel free to ask your local Greencross Vets for advice on the best way to keep your pet safe from the potentially fatal risks of paralysis ticks.

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