Gold Coast Vet Surgery - Where Pets Are Family

This section is still "UNDER FINAL CONSTRUCTION"

Flea Section to be added soon!

Paralysis Ticks

Paralysis ticks are present all year round but we see a peak in cases in late winter and early spring. We usually expect a flurry of tick activity once the weather warms up and humidity increases. Typically this happens after the first good “spring rains”. Whilst spring may seem an age away, it is not uncommon to see the number of paralysis ticks increasing in August.

Given that they can be fatal, prevention is the best approach. Whilst all dogs in the Gold Coast region should have tick preventatives applied year round, the reality is that many people relax a bit in the cooler months, but it is an important time to strengthen defenses. And as an added bonus, many tick control measures will also help with flea control, another ongoing problem in our subtropical climate.

There are many measures available and it is always best to discuss with us what will suit your particular circumstances. Our nurses are well trained and experienced to advise you on good integrated tick control. Your local risk of ticks, dog vs cat, pet’s lifestyle (eg do they swim a lot?), type of hair coat and your budget are all factors to be considered. Effective paralysis tick preventatives include Spot-On products (eg Frontline^®or Advantix^®), Tick Collars (eg Preventic^®or Kil-Tix^®) and Tablets (Proban^®)

In high risk areas, such as rural or semi-rural settings, especially near properties with livestock, it may be wise to use a combination of products such as a Spot-On and a Tick Collar. But never solely rely on these products. Physically search your dog daily for ticks, and especially after walks. Favourite spots are the chest area, face (especially around lips, ears and eyes), between the toes and under the tail. Should you find a tick, remove it immediately and keep it for identification. The best way to remove a tick is with a Tick Hook – a simple, inexpensive, plastic device available from our reception. It will never rust and has no moving parts so just one will last you a lifetime! It’s a really useful device to keep in your first aid kit.

If you don’t have a tick hook use a twisting action and try not to squeeze their body as this may inject further toxin into your pet. Make an immediate appointment to see one of our vets and take the tick with you.

Signs of tick paralysis include wobbly back legs, weakness, a change in their “voice”, coughing, regurgitation / vomiting and difficulty breathing. But don’t wait until you see symptoms – early treatment can be lifesaving. Since treatment can be costly (severe cases costing several thousands of dollars to treat), we strongly recommend a Pet Health Insurance policy that includes Paralysis Tick treatment. Do it today!