What to do when you suspect your furry friend has a tick?
Is your pet showing signs of distress and unusual behaviour?
It could be a sign of lethal paralysis ticks (#) hiding under their fur. It is imperative that any ticks are quickly removed, as if they are left untreated then they can leave your pet paralysed and fighting for life.
Tick symptoms include:
- Moaning
- Walking unusually
- Coughing
- Reluctance to move
- Irregular behaviour
If you notice any drastic changes in your pet’s behaviour or see any ticks on their skin, it is important to act quickly. If the venom affects their lungs, it may have impact on their breathing which can be extremely dangerous.
If you suspect your companion has been bitten by a paralysis tick, immediately take them to your local. A vet will initiate tick treatment which includes manually removing the tick, and applying vet prescribed anti tick medication.
(#) Paralysis ticks are commonly found in humid conditions, such as along the east coast of Australia. Their hosts usually include possums, kangaroos and koalas, however sometimes they find their way to our family pets.
Ticks suck blood from their hosts, which results in toxins being released from their salivary glands and injected into the animal. The injected toxin then shuts down the host’s nervous system causing paralysis.
Paralysis ticks are usually grey in colour and can expand up for over one centimetre depending on how much blood they have sucked. The size of the tick is usually a good indication of how long the tick has been on your pet.
