If you are taking your pet on holiday remember to put a tick prevention plan in place
With the warm weather now in play and the high-risk season for ticks, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is strongly urging pet owners to talk to their veterinarian now about ways to prevent serious harm or death from paralysis ticks.
President of the AVA Dr Bronwyn Orr said "If you are taking your pet on holiday make sure you check if you are going to a tick prone area. As the weather warms up, dog and cat owners need to be vigilant, particularly in tick prone areas.
Currently anti-tick serum stocks which are used to treat tick paralysis are low so making sure you are using tick preventative products on your pet is absolutely essential." she said.
"Ticks breed mainly along the east coast of Australia in warm and humid weather so now is the time for pet owners to ensure they take preventive measures to avoid what can sometimes be a fatal outcome," said Dr Orr.
There are highly effective, safe, APVMA approved tick preventatives for dogs and cats. Pet owners should speak to their vet who can advise on the best prevention method for their situation and type of pet.
Paralysis ticks tend to attach to the head and neck area of the pet and on the chest and the front of the leg but can generally be found on any part of the body. Ticks release a toxin when they feed, which leads to a condition known as tick paralysis. Common signs of tick paralysis include difficulty walking, gurgling and choking. Dogs may not be able to bark properly.
Even if you find and remove a tick it's still important that your pet is seen by a vet as your pet can be affected by the toxin for 24 hours after removal or longer.
