External parasites
Ticks
Paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus) are among the most dangerous
parasites that can affect your pet. It is estimated that many thousands of dogs
and cats in Australia are affected each year and unfortunately, some die.
WHERE DO WE FIND PARALYSIS TICKS?
The paralysis tick is found on the eastern seaboard, from North Queensland to Victoria. In the northern parts of Australia, paralysis ticks may be found all year round, while in the more southern areas, the season can begin in late winter and finish in late autumn. They are not always restricted to the immediate coastline and can be found inland in suitable habitats.
Paralysis ticks are found on animals that live in or near bush or scrubland. Native animals such as marsupials, birds and reptiles are the natural hosts, however, ticks can also become attached to and affect dogs and cats.
HOW DOES THE TICK CAUSE TOXICITY?
The tick sucks blood from the host animal and in doing so secretes saliva that contains toxins which are absorbed and cause signs of paralysis and poisoning. Older dogs are at slightly higher risk of developing tick toxicity but dogs of any age can be affected.
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE PARALYSIS TICK
Once on the animal, the tick finds a site of attachment where it becomes deeply and firmly embedded in the skin. When an adult tick feeds on blood, it increases in size dramatically. When a tick attaches to the skin, the area becomes red and a raised thickening or 'crater' may appear. A crater is evidence of a prior tick attachment.
CHECK FOR TICKS
It is essential that after each outing you carefully examine your dog's coat and skin for any ticks. Make sure you check the skin folds of the body, inside the ear flaps and between the toes. Check the head and neck particularly well!
SYMPTOMS OF TICK TOXICITY
If your dog lives in or visits a high risk area for paralysis ticks, it is important to look out for the symptoms of toxicity.
The symptoms to watch for are:
- Loss of coordination in the hind legs (wobbly or not being able to get up)
- Change in voice or bark
- Retching, coughing or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Progressive paralysis starting in the hind legs and progressing to include the forelegs
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
Not all cases follow a simple progression, and the animal can die suddenly in the very early stages of paralysis.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG SHOWS ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS?
- Keep your pet calm and at a comfortable temperature (not too hot or cold) and take it to the veterinarian.
- Do not offer food or water, as this may lead to pneumonia and breathing difficulties if your dog can't swallow properly.
- Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
- Search for a tick or ticks and remove them as soon as possible.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR DOG FROM PARALYSIS TICKS
a) Avoid the tick habitat
During the tick season, don't take your dog walking in bush areas known to harbour ticks. Keep lawns and shrubs short and remove compost material from backyards.
b) Search pets every day for ticks
The most essential preventative measure is a thorough search of your dog's skin and coat at least once a day, even if tick control products have been applied. This method gives you the best chance of finding a tick before serious tick paralysis occurs.
Be systematic with your search
Use the fingertips to feel through the aminal's coat. Ticks or tick craters can be felt as lumps on the skin surface.
- Start at the aminal's nose and slowly examine the face, ears, lips and eyes. Most ticks are found forward of the front legs, especially on the face, neck and ears. However, be careful of skin folds around the lips and ears.
- Search around the eyes and on top of the forehead carefully before checking the neck.
- Remove collar and search through the skin folds in the neck. Continue down the shoulders to the forelegs, remember to check between the toes and under the armpits. Examine the chest, back, belly, around the tail and anus, and the back legs.
- If you find a tick, remove it and don't forget to search for more. Some dogs can be infested with many ticks at the one time.
c) Remove ticks
As soon as a paralysis tick is found it should be removed. Quickly remove the tick without squeezing the engorged abdomen. Your veterinarian can do this or show you the best method. A special hook or tweezers may be useful.
d) Preventatives for paralysis tick control
In addition to daily searching, application of products specifically intended for tick control can greatly reduce the risk of tick paralysis for your pet. Ask your veterinarian for advice.
AN EFFECTIVE TICK TREATMENT
Be careful: some products effective against fleas are not necessarily active against ticks.
Moreover, the treatment should be administered at recommended intervals to achieve protection.
Two products recommended for their good activity against ticks are FRONTLINE PLUS and FRONTLINE® SPRAY.
FRONTLINE PLUS is for tick control on dogs and should be used every two weeks.
FRONTLINE SPRAY is for use on dogs and cats and should be used every three weeks. The spray should be applied over the whole body but take special care to rub some around the head, neck and legs using rubber gloves.
While FRONTLINE will greatly reduce the risk of tick paralysis, use of the product does not guarantee prevention of all cases of tick paralysis, because ticks are not killed immediately after contact. It is therefore essential that you continue to search your pet daily after FRONTLINE applications. If ticks are found during this search they should be removed immediately.
FRONTLINE PLUS
EASY APPLICATION
FRONTLINE PLUS comes as a handy pipette. Apply the contents of the pipette to the skin at the back of the neck of your pet.
EFFECTIVE AND LONG LASTING
ELIMINATION OF FLEAS AND TICKS
Protection against fleas: FRONTLINE PLUS kills fleas within 18-24 hours for 4 weeks after treatment and prevents the development of flea eggs, larvae and pupae for up to 12 weeks after treatment
i. FRONTLINE PLUS should be applied every month to all dogs and cats in the household.
Protection against ticks: FRONTLINE PLUS controls paralysis ticks for up to 2 weeks, minimising the risk of tick paralysis. Attached ticks should fall off once dead or can be easily removed.
SAFETY
FRONTLINE PLUS can be used with confidence on all breeds of dogs (from 8 weeks of age) and during pregnancy and lactation. FRONTLINE SPRAY may be used on pups from 2 days of age.
WATERFAST
FRONTLINE PLUS remains efficacious when washing or swimming your dog. Wait 48 hours after application before wetting your dog and only apply FRONTLINE PLUS to a completely dry coat.
References: i. Young D.R., Jeannin P.C., & Boeckh A. (2004). Efficacy of fipronil/(S)-methoprene combination spot-on for dogs against shed eggs, emerging and existing adult cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis. Bouche). Vet Parasitol 125, pp397-407
