Aug2011_News from Dayboro Vet
TICKS, TICKS, TICKS
As a local of the Dayboro area, you would most likely be aware that we are in the prime location of Paralysis Ticks.
However, did you know that these nasty parasites are present and toxic to our pets all year around?
Although we are technically in the “low” season for paralysis ticks, they are still present and are harming our treasured pets. We have had numerous tick paralysis cases over the ‘’low’ period this year so it is very important that you keep tick prevention on your pets ALL YEAR AROUND.
Where are they?
Paralysis ticks are carried by local wildlife, such as bandicoots, and are found in plentiful numbers in the bush and scrub areas around Dayboro and the mountains all year around.
What do they do?
As their name suggests, Paralysis ticks cause paralysis. The first signs that your animal may exhibit are wobbly back legs, a change in voice/bark, salivating and retching when drinking or eating. This can then progress to complete paralysis and difficulty breathing and eventually death. It is important to remember that it is not only cats and dogs that are affected, paralysis ticks also affect calves, goats, foals, camelids, birds and humans.
What if I find a tick on my pet?
REMOVE IT IMMEDIATELY. The longer the tick is on your pet, the more toxin it can release in to their body. To remove a tick use your fingernails or tweezers to get as close to the skin as possible and pull the tick off. If your dog is showing signs of tick paralysis, call your Vet as it will need immediate attention. Keep the tick in a sealed container so it can be identified by your vet. If there are no signs of tick paralysis, monitor your pet closely for 24 hours as their condition can still decline. Remember, if there is one tick on your pet, there may be more so it is always advisable to get your pet examined by a vet whether it is showing signs or not. The most common areas for ticks to be found are around the head and neck, between the toes, in their groin area and under their tail.
Treatment:
Tick antiserum is used to treat clinical cases of tick paralysis and is generally successful if given early in the course of tick paralysis. Recovery is variable though and is determined by how long the tick is on, how old your pet is, whether they have had a tick before, how severely your pet is affected etc. Most pets are required to stay in hospital for 2-5 days depending on how they respond to treatment.
PREVENTION:
The best way to avoid tick paralysis affecting your pet is to use prevention all year around. There are lots of options so pop in to the surgery to discuss what method of prevention is most suitable to your pet. The most popular preventatives are tick collars, fortnightly spot-on treatments and tick sprays.
REMEMBER: no product is 100% effective. These products should always be combined with you doing a daily check for ticks on your pet.
Where are they?
Paralysis ticks are carried by local wildlife, such as bandicoots, and are found in plentiful numbers in the bush and scrub areas around Dayboro and the mountains all year around.
What do they do?
As their name suggests, Paralysis ticks cause paralysis. The first signs that your animal may exhibit are wobbly back legs, a change in voice/bark, salivating and retching when drinking or eating. This can then progress to complete paralysis and difficulty breathing and eventually death. It is important to remember that it is not only cats and dogs that are affected, paralysis ticks also affect calves, goats, foals, camelids, birds and humans.
What if I find a tick on my pet?
REMOVE IT IMMEDIATELY. The longer the tick is on your pet, the more toxin it can release in to their body. To remove a tick use your fingernails or tweezers to get as close to the skin as possible and pull the tick off. If your dog is showing signs of tick paralysis, call your Vet as it will need immediate attention. Keep the tick in a sealed container so it can be identified by your vet. If there are no signs of tick paralysis, monitor your pet closely for 24 hours as their condition can still decline. Remember, if there is one tick on your pet, there may be more so it is always advisable to get your pet examined by a vet whether it is showing signs or not. The most common areas for ticks to be found are around the head and neck, between the toes, in their groin area and under their tail.
Treatment:
Tick antiserum is used to treat clinical cases of tick paralysis and is generally successful if given early in the course of tick paralysis. Recovery is variable though and is determined by how long the tick is on, how old your pet is, whether they have had a tick before, how severely your pet is affected etc. Most pets are required to stay in hospital for 2-5 days depending on how they respond to treatment.
PREVENTION:
The best way to avoid tick paralysis affecting your pet is to use prevention all year around. There are lots of options so pop in to the surgery to discuss what method of prevention is most suitable to your pet. The most popular preventatives are tick collars, fortnightly spot-on treatments and tick sprays.
REMEMBER: no product is 100% effective. These products should always be combined with you doing a daily check for ticks on your pet.
FROM THE TEAM AT DAYBORO VET
