THE CAUSE OF TICK PARALYSIS
The paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, is the cause of tick poisoning. This tick is found along the east coast of Australia (essentially very narrow strip) and is prevalent around bushland especially on Sydney's north shore including Turramurra.
The paralysis tick is a grey-greenish coloured tick that can range in size from a pinhead to as large as a thumbnail. The size is an indication of how long the tick has been on your pet. The tick ingests blood and becomes engorged as a result, at the same time secreting its own saliva into your pet’s bloodstream. It is the neurotoxins in the saliva that cause the clinical signs.
Paralysis ticks occur all year round but their numbers reach a peak from early spring to late summer (the so-called “tick season”) when it is warm and wet. The actual time varies with weather conditions – approximately early August till late January.
THE CLINICAL SIGNS OF TICK POISONING
Clinical signs usually develop within 3-4 days after tick attachment but, in some very rare instances, signs may not be seen for up to a week or two after attachment.
Signs most commonly seen include:
- Vomiting and/or gagging or refusing food.
- A slight wobbliness of the hindquarters which worsens to paralysis and inability to stand.
- A change in the sound of bark or miaow;
- Vomiting and/or gagging or refusing food.
- Difficulty breathing (slow and laboured, often with a grunting noise on expiration).
If your pet is showing ANY of these signs it is IMPORTANT that it is treated appropriately AS SOON AS POSSIBLE as untreated animals may die.
Sometimes you may find a tick or ticks on your pet and it is not showing any clinical signs. In such cases you should remove all the ticks, keep your pet quiet and closely watch him/her for the next 24-36 hours as signs may still develop despite the removal of the ticks. If this happens, treatment is necessary.
TICK POISONING TREATMENT
In all cases of tick poisoning the following procedures will be followed:
- Administration of a sedative (cats especially can become very agitated and stressed with a tick);
- Removal of all ticks and repeated searches;
- Pre-medication and administration of anti-tick serum. It should be noted that adverse reactions can occur to the serum;
- Cage rest and close monitoring,
- Monitoring of bladder function. Manual expression of the bladder is often required until normal function returns.
In some cases additional procedures are required, such as:
- Supportive treatment, such as fluids, oxygen, etc. (depending on the severity) may be necessary
- Further diagnostic procedures including blood pressure, blood tests and chest radiographs. Other procedures may be necessary in severe cases.
In general your animal will be in hospital for at least 2-3 days. Your pet will be graded on admission for respiration and gait. You will be informed of the changes in the grading during your pet’s hospitalisation. Prior to discharge your pet will either be sprayed with Frontline or given a tick bath and rinse.
Some breeds of dogs seem to be particularly sensitive to the effects of the neurotoxin. These include Collies, Border Collies, Irish Setters and German Shepherds. In such animals clinical signs can be more severe and recovery often slower.
TICK PARALYSIS AFTER CARE
It is important to keep your pet QUIET and COOL for 2 weeks after tick poisoning because of the possibility of delayed cardiotoxic effects. In addition small frequent meals and fluids are preferable to one large meal a day. Another common side effect of tick poisoning is inhibition of a dog’s ability to urinate. Although this is unusual you should check that your pet is urinating freely. This means observing a stream of urine not just "that he’s cocking his leg"!
It is important to realise that your pet is still susceptible to poisoning from any future ticks. The antiserum given at the time of treatment does not have any lasting protective effects and so preventative measures should be undertaken.
PREVENTION OF TICK PARALYSIS
- Daily examination of your pet for the presence of ticks is the most effective form of prevention provided it is done diligently. Always remove the collar from your animal before checking as ticks are often found under them! In general ticks attach most frequently around the head, neck and forelegs of an animal but you should check all over.
- A number of drugs assist in preventing tick attachment and poisoning.
- For both dogs and cats, Frontline Spray used at its “tick” dose rate. This product protects against ticks for up to three weeks and persists despite subsequent bathing or swimming.
- For dogs only you may also use either: Frontline Top Spot which protects for up to two weeks; or Permoxin insecticidal rinse weekly; or Bayer Kiltix Collar which protects for up to 6 weeks.
- For cats only Frontline Spray only.