There are various types of ticks that can infest a pet. One of the ticks that is of most concern is the Ixodes Holocyclus or Parasite Tick. This tick can cause paralysis and death after only 2 to 4 days of attaching to a pet. This tick is seen more along the coastal eastern seaboard of Australia but can attach to animals that visit these areas during the warm months. They can also be carried on plants, towels or other items when you or a neighbour return from a trip to these regions.
Remove any ticks you find on your pet by grasping it as close to the skin as possible. Do not kill it first as it may inject toxins into your pet as it dies. If you are not confident in removing the tick, you can bring it in to the vet to have it removed. Monitor your pet for 24 hours after tick removal. If there are any signs of weakness, vomiting, breathing difficulty, staggering or an altered bark, treat this as an emergency and get your pet to the vet as soon as possible. Do not offer water or food as the pet may accidently inhale these
Tick paralysis is treated by removing all the ticks on the pet (this may involve shaving the pet or using medication to kill them). An antiserum is administered to counteract the toxins. Supportive care is given while the pet recovers. This can prove very costly. Tick prevention would be far more economical.
While tick prevention is helpful, it is not 100% effective. Your pet should still be checked for ticks for at least 7 days after you or your neighbours have returned from a potentially infested area. Hot spots include the face, under the collar, between the toes, in the ears, under the lips and around the chest area.
We can assist with preventatives as well as a demonstration of how to do a tick search on your pet.