How Paralysis Ticks Affect Your Dog Or Cat And What To Do About It

Paralysis ticks are a common concern for pet owners, particularly in Sydney’s Hills District and Northern Suburbs. These tiny creatures can have devastating effects on our beloved dogs and cats if not detected and treated promptly. We’ve written this article so you will know how paralysis ticks can affect cats and what you can do to protect them from these dangerous parasites.

Understanding the Lifecycle of Paralysis Ticks

Paralysis ticks, or Ixodes holocyclus, engage in a remarkably intricate lifecycle, which is vital knowledge for every pet owner aiming to protect their companions from these parasites’ affects. Initiating their life as eggs laid in dense vegetation, these ticks hatch into larvae, which are minuscule and easily overlooked. This larval stage seeks out small mammalian hosts, often birds or rodents, from which to draw their initial blood meal.

Following this early feeding phase, they progress into the nymph stage, where they become more discernible yet remain a challenge to spot due to their still-small size. At this time, pets roaming in infested areas become more susceptible to ticks. Nymphs require a further blood meal to mature into their final, adult form, where females, in particular, seek larger hosts, such as dogs and cats, to feed on the host’s blood, necessary for the fertilisation of their eggs.

This transition from egg to adult takes several months, and is linked to environmental conditions, with warmth and humidity greatly accelerating their development.

That’s why, particularly after a wet Winter, we will see more cases of dogs and cats affected by paralysis ticks coming into Cherrybrook Vet’s surgery, sometimes as early as July or August. The risk to your pet escalates as the temperature in Sydney warms up, however the importance of year-round vigilance cannot be understated. Understanding this cycle helps pet owners anticipate and reduce the risks posed by paralysis ticks. Cherrybrook Vet stresses the importance of adopting proactive measures to protect your dogs and cats from these dangerous parasites.

Identifying the Size and Shape of Paralysis Ticks

To help protect our pets from paralysis ticks, a detailed understanding of their physical characteristics is really important. These creatures pose a significant threat to the health of our dogs and cats. At the core of their identification lies their distinctive size and shape, aspects that are critical for every pet owner to recognise.

Paralysis ticks, before feeding, can be deceptively small, often comparable to a sesame seed, making early detection a meticulous and very difficult challenge. However, once they begin feeding, their bodies undergo a remarkable transformation, swelling to sizes as large as a pea, or approximately 1cm in length. This change not only alerts owners to their presence but also indicates the urgency for immediate action.

Their shape further aids in their identification, with a teardrop shape when unfed, to an oval form when partially engorged, becoming almost round when fully engorged. Their colouration can vary, transitioning from a pale, mottled cream to a greyish blue as they engorge on blood. If you are able to get close enough to the tick, you may notice that their first and fourth leg is slightly darker in colour to the middle two legs. However, the best advice is to take your pet to Cherrybrook Vet for examination and identification.

It’s important that you do not attempt to remove the tick yourself, or disturb it in any way.

In doing so you run the risk of the tick injecting more toxin into your pet and can leave its mouthparts in the skin.

Removal is a specialist task, so please contact Cherrybrook Vet as soon as you can to bring your pet in for examination.

Recognising Symptoms of Tick Paralysis in Dogs

Being aware of any changes in your dog’s behaviour and physical condition is paramount. Initially, these changes might be subtle, such as a change to their usual bark. It may sound strained or husky. You may notice a loss of balance or lack of coordination in your dog’s back legs, which could easily be mistaken for fatigue or lethargy. This weakness can rapidly escalate, affecting their ability to stand and move.

Respiratory distress may follow, characterised by a notable change in the rhythm and depth of breaths, signalling the urgent need for intervention. Additionally, a decreased appetite and vomiting are symptoms that should raise immediate concern, further underscoring the insidious nature of tick paralysis. These signs are crucial indicators that you need to bring your dog in to the surgery immediately.

Recognising Symptoms of Tick Paralysis in Cats

Cats may not be as obvious as dogs are in showing symptoms when affected by a paralysis tick. Your cat may display a discrete set of symptoms that signal the onset of tick paralysis, so careful observation is very important. A sudden onset of lethargy in a previously active cat can be a telling sign, as can an unusual gait, where your cat might appear uncoordinated or wobbly, hinting at the neurotoxic effects taking hold. Moreover, alterations in their voice or a diminished capacity to vocalise are markers that warrant attention. Such changes, coupled with a decreased appetite or refusal to eat, are also warning signs. These symptoms, although subtle initially, escalate with time and emphasise the urgency of seeking professional veterinary care.

Immediate Actions to Take If You Find a Paralysis Tick

If you find a paralysis tick on your pet, you need to act quickly. It is paramount to avoid disturbing the tick’s body in any way as this can lead to the expulsion of toxic saliva into your pet.

Call Cherrybrook Vet as soon as possible to arrange a consultation and be sure to let us know that you have found a paralysis tick, or suspect your pet is affected by one. It can be a difficult job to find a tick, particularly on long coated dogs or cats, but our vets are well practiced in finding where they may be hiding.

Preventative Measures to Protect Your Pets

At Cherrybrook Vet, we recommend a proactive approach is to prevent the effects of paralysis ticks. A regimen of regular, thorough checks of your pet’s coat is an important habit to have, particularly after walks in bushy or overgrown areas. This examination allows for the early detection of ticks before they have the opportunity to cause an issue.

Equally critical is the consultation with us regarding tick prevention products that are suitably matched to your pet’s specific needs and lifestyle. The market offers a variety of options, ranging from topical treatments and collars to oral medications and injectable treatments, each with its own set of advantages. Cherrybrook Vet’s guidance in choosing the most effective, yet safe, product can serve as a your first line defence against these parasites.

An awareness of your pet’s environment plays a crucial role in prevention. Steering clear of tick-infested areas, particularly during peak tick season, can significantly reduce the risk of exposure. When avoidance is not possible, extra vigilance during and after exposure to such environments is necessary.

When to Contact Cherrybrook Vet for Professional Help

The moment you observe any of the above symptoms make sure you contact us. Cherrybrook Vet’s team of veterinarians will be able to diagnose and treat the condition, ensuring the best possible outcome for your cherished pet.

If you have any questions or concerns about tick paralysis in dogs or cats, or would like to find out more about Cherrybrook Vet Hospital, feel free to call us on 02 9980 1800 between 8:30am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, and between 8:30am and 12:30pm on Saturday.