Every year our clinics treat many animals from the local area that have been affected by the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) .

The tick is a native of Australia that lives on native marsupials such as possums without affecting them. However they secrete a toxin in their saliva that can have devastating results on susceptible cats and dogs. The toxin causes a slowly progressive paralysis which can lead to respiratory failure and thus death if left untreated.

Hopefully this article will prepare you and your pet for ticks.

WHERE AND WHEN ?

The paralysis tick can be picked up anywhere, however most of the ticks we see are from Mt Riverview, the Winmalee-Springwood area , and from animals returning from the family's holiday to the coast.

They are commonly seen only in the warmer months especially after rain when the new ones hatch. This means from August through to March but I have seen them up here, in the depths of winter in June and July when milder conditions prevail.

Paralysis Tick



The Fully Fed female Paralysis tick is about the size of a pea. Unfed, the tick is about the size of a matched. Other stages of feeding vary between the two sizes. For more information, click on the picture

THE LIFE OF A TICK.

When an newly hatched tick emerges it climbs onto vegetation and awaits the next animal to come by. It then grabs on to the coat and it's needle sharp mouthparts burrow deep into the skin. These mouthparts lock into the skin until the tick chooses to let go.

The tick then spends the next five to seven days happily sucking blood from their host. This causes them to swell from something the size of a pin head, to as large as a small pea by the time they've had their fill. The tick then drops off and starts working on the next generation of ticks.

Domestic mammals which have only been in Australia for around two hundred years, are very susceptible to the toxin.

THE TICK POISON.

This always puzzles me. Here we have a tiny tick , with a tiny head, and microscopic salivary glands which produces enough toxin to kill most dogs and cats. Yet the toxin seemingly has no effect' on the native fauna which have been here for tens of thousands of' years .

Domestic mammals which have only been around two hundred years are very susceptible to the toxin. So how does Darwin explain the need for this toxin?. Most animals are miles away from where the 'tick was picked up before it takes effect so why does the tick need to paralyse the animal. The tick has it's free lunch and then paralyses the host for good measure.
Buddhists wouldn't return as ticks that's for sure. ,

 SIGNS OF TICK PARALYSIS.

The toxin causes a slowly progressive paralysis by blocking the motor (moving) nerves of the body. The area most commonly affected first is the throat. This can lead to a change or muting in your cat's miaow or your dog's bark. They also have difficulty swallowing saliva and can appear to vomit and may cough, but are actually choking on saliva pooling in the pharynx. Weakness in the back legs and an inability to stand are usually the first signs owners will see .

If left untreated at this stage the paralysis continues to progress until eventually the diaphragm and intercostals become paralysed and the animal can no longer breathe, and dies.

If your animal exhibits any of the above signs contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. '

PREVENTION OF TICKS.

There are three commonly used methods of preventing the ticks poisoning your pet and a gram of prevention is always worth a kilo of cure

I) Daily Searching.

This is always recommended but can obviously prove difficult on long coated animals. The tick will feel no bigger than a match head which is attached closely to the skin. These can be confused with warts, cysts and nipples but are usually grey to bluish in colour and quite often are embedded in a sore red ring of skin where the hair has also dropped out. The longer a tick is on your pet the bigger it will get, until they are the size of a small pea.

The tick consists of a body with protruding mouthparts. As well as the Paralysis Tick, harmless Bush Ticks are found in this area which can only be distinguished by viewing their mouthparts under a microscope. Many animals apparently not affected by ticks were probably bitten by this harmless relative of the Paralysis tick.

Rub your hands all over your pet feeling for any little bumps - especially check around the neck , collar and the ears as ticks particularly attach to the leading part of the animal as it pushes through the foliage.

If you find a tick we recommend that you DO NOT REMOVE
the tick with tweezers etc, as this only stirs the tick up. It will inject more toxin and you may leave the head behind which will continue to poison your pet. We suggest that you kill the tick by spraying it with a personal insecticide like Mortein or Aerogard . The tick will die and drop off within half an hour and if you lock your pet on a tiled floor you can recover the tick for later identification. The tick toxin continues to act even when the tick is removed, so take your dog to a Vet immediately.

Bush Tick

Bush Ticks are about the same size as Paralysis Ticks. and are a different colour.
To be sure, always see your vet and have the mouthparts examined under a microscope.
Click on the picture for more information on Ticks.
But remember,
Always see your Vet

 

2) Tick rinses, sprays and collars.

These are an excellent idea in theory. However unlike fleas which crawl all over the skin, ticks attach themselves to a single place and stay there. So for any insecticide to be effective it has to be in sufficient concentrations at that particular place to kill the tick.

This means you need to guarantee 100% coverage of the body at high enough concentrations to kill the ticks so regular ( at least) weekly) application is required and even then it may not be fool-proof.


Several hundred fleas can live on your pet, generally causing only irritation and annoyance to most animals and owners,
but just one Paralysis tick can kill.

3 ) Proban tablets.

This is an oral insecticide given to your pet at the recommended dosage. As the ticks are feeding on blood you are guaranteed that the insecticide will reach its intended targets. Even multiple ticks on a dog or cat will not cause any illness in that pet if it is on Proban.

There is a risk of overdosage (excess salivation shaking etc) however, so consult your vet as to the correct dosage and make one person only responsible for giving the Proban to prevent doubling up. Marking the doses off on a calendar is probably the best way to keep track of your pet's regime. Proban can be used for cats and dogs , and would be the best preventative available . So if you love in a tick area, or are planning to holiday anywhere on the Eastern Seaboard with your pet, then see your local veterinarian about Proban. '

In ten years time there should be a vaccine available that will kill the ticks when they bite your pet - which will be bad news for ticks.

TREATMENT OF TICKS.

This can be an expensive and lengthy process. Firstly the tick is removed if found - many may drop off before the animal shows signs of poisoning. Anti-Tick Serum is given to bind any toxin that has yet to be absorbed by the nerves. This serum is essential to prevent further deterioration and hasten recovery

Funnily enough I did work experience with the Vet who makes the serum and I asked him where he got the Ticks. He told me the Hippies up in Nimbin sit under trees on blankets and ticks drop onto them while they meditate - or whatever. They then sell the ticks to him.
So thank the Ferals if your pet has ever received Anti-Tick Serum.

 

Treatment can involve a long recuperative phase so the earlier the signs are first noted and treatment commenced the better off you and your pet shall be so watch for those tell tale signs, of difficulty swallowing and weak back legs, and check your pet daily for ticks.

I-hope this, has been informative for you and if you have any problems remember your local vet can give you any further assistance.

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 © Text - Ross Bennett