Pet owners are being warned to remain vigilant about tick paralysis in dogs and cats, even during winter, as new emergency case data and pet health trends confirm this risk persists year-round.
Tick paralysis is a life-threatening condition caused by a neurotoxin released by particular species of ticks. The toxin can lead to progressive, ascending paralysis, typically beginning with weakness in the hind limbs and progressing to the front limbs.
“In severe cases, it can result in respiratory failure,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. “Common signs include unsteadiness when walking, difficulty standing, laboured breathing, lethargy, changes in vocalisation, loss of appetite, and vomiting.”
August is Tick Awareness Month, and pet owners are reminded to check their pets daily for ticks; use a veterinarian-recommended tick prevention treatment all year round; and be alert to symptoms like limb weakness, coughing, lethargy and vomiting. If this occurs, seek medical treatment for your pet immediately.
The Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH), one of Australia’s largest 24/7 emergency networks, has confirmed over 700 cases of tick paralysis in pets since early 2023, with most cases occurring on the east coast.
“Ticks pose a big problem for pet owners, and staying vigilant is paramount in protecting pets from this deadly parasite,” Crighton says. “If you live in a known tick area, it is important to start considering your preventive protection now.”