TICKS

Paralysis Tick - Identifying

	Size: Pinhead to corn kernel size or bigger.
	Legs: Four pairs of legs, first and last pair – dark brown, inner pairs – light brown. All pairs of legs are the same colour in Bush or Brown Dog Ticks.
	Leg Spacing: The legs are very close together at the head end of the body, legs are clearly spaced in Bush or Brown Dog Ticks.
	Colour: Grey in colour, the Bush Tick or Brown Dog Tick is brown.

Engorged Adult Tick

Paralysis Tick - Facts

	Native to Australia. Live on Bandicoots, Wallabies and Possums.
	Attach to domestic pets to feed on blood.
	95% attach to the front end of the body especially the head and neck.
	While feeding they inject toxins which find their way to the nervous system causing paralysis.
	Tick signs can occur as early as 1 day after attachment.
	There are up to 60 different types of toxin, explaining the variation in signs and response to treatment.
	Tick toxicity is not related to tick size.

Tick Paralysis - Signs

	Quietness, lethargy, reduced appetite, anxiety, vomiting.
	Change in sound of bark or meow.
	Incoordination or weakness in the back legs or total paralysis.
	Reduced or absent ability to swallow causing distress and gagging.
	Breathing difficulties – A grunt-like breathing sound.
	Advanced heart and respiratory failure leading to death in up to 5% of cases despite treatment.

What to do - If you find a Tick and your pet is 100% healthy

	Remove the Tick, ideally with a tick twister available from The Vets.
	Or remove the tick using your fingers or tweezers but make sure you remove the entire tick. A swelling or crater may remain from where it was attached.
	Call us if you have any concerns and make sure your pet is on tick prevention.

What to do - If your pet is unwell and you suspect Tick Paralysis

	Remove the tick as above if you have found it or leave it for us to remove.
	Call us immediately to arrange for us to see your pet. Your pet will require treatment that should not be delayed.
	Please call us even if you can't find the tick but suspect tick paralysis.

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