Pet owners are being urged to protect their dogs and cats as paralysis tick season ramps up across the region.
The warning comes after Park Ridge Animal Hospital reported treating seven tick paralysis patients in a single day this month, as vets across Logan brace for the start of peak tick season.
While paralysis ticks can affect pets year-round, Park Ridge Animal Hospital veterinarian Nigel Thomas says cases typically surge from late August through to Christmas.
“The number one thing about tick paralysis is that it’s completely preventable with good prevention,” Mr Thomas said.
Despite effective preventative treatments being available, he says veterinarians still see pets become seriously ill each year.
Mr Thomas warns that daily tick searches alone are often not enough.
“Ticks are incredibly small when they first attach and can easily be missed,” he said.
Pet owners should watch for early warning signs including:
- Changes in bark or meow
- Loss of appetite
- Reluctance to jump or exercise
- Weakness in the back legs
- A wobbly or “drunken” walk
- Retching, gagging or difficulty swallowing
As the condition progresses, animals may struggle to stand and develop breathing difficulties.
“Any change from what is normal for your pet should be taken seriously during tick season,” Mr Thomas said.
If a tick is found, owners should remove it immediately by grasping it as close to the skin as possible and pulling it out.
However, Mr Thomas says many people don’t realise pets can continue to deteriorate for up to 48 hours after a tick has been removed.
“You might find a tick and your pet seems completely normal, but they can still become seriously unwell over the next day or two,” he said.
For that reason, he recommends immediate veterinary assessment whenever a paralysis tick is discovered.
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