FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TICK SEASON IS HERE!

Tick season is once again here and it is time to prepare your pets. Read the following article to find out more about tick paralysis.

TICK PARALYSIS

 The adult female of the IXODES HOLOCYCLES can engorge itself on your pet causing paralysis after two to four days.  Early symptoms may alert you; anorexia, vomiting, gagging, dilated pupils, breathing difficulties.  Paralysis of breathing muscles can lead to death.  Watch for signs of exercise intolerance. 

 What to do if you suspect a tick?  Keep calm!  Generally if your pet has any of these symptoms, veterinary treatment will be necessary.  Keep him or her cool and quiet.  Do not exercise or stress your pet in any way.  Do not give fluids or food, as this may cause your pet to aspirate into it’s lungs causing more trouble.  ALWAYS CHECK FOR MORE TICKS.

  Ticks cases are extremely variable.  Most will require tick anti venom and tranquilizers.  Others will need cortisone and antibiotics.  Some require suction of fluids from their throats, tracheotomies – where a hole is made in the trachea for oxygen delivery in severely effected cases.  Monitoring blood oxygen levels is important to monitor drug effects and patient progress.  Good nursing is essential – patients should be monitored closely for the first 48 hours after removal of the tick.  Generally small or young animals are worst affected, but there is no hard and fast rule.  Prognostication is difficult.  By the time breathing difficulties are noticed your pet is already compromised and may be functioning on less than 1/3 of his breathing capacity.

Tick removal is theoretically easy but practically not always so.  A firm grasp with your fingernails right at the base of your tick is best.  If you can not pull it out you can try to kill the tick by use of pyrethin insecticides.  However, this may not always reach the mouth parts of the tick which are deeply buried.  You can cut the tick of level with the skin effectively beheading it.  Be careful you are not cutting off a nipple or a wart – these tend to be very sensitive! If you are not sure that it is a tick seek veterinary advise.

After your pet comes home they will need to be

a)       kept quiet for two to three days until all signs of poisoning are resolved

b)       kept out of the sun in a quiet place

c)       fed small amounts of soft food only for two to three days until normal swallowing returns

d)       watch for signs of pneumonia or red eyes (possible uveitis), which may develop after your pet goes home.

Prevention is better than cure.  No one method is 100% effective.  You can try the following

a)       Virbac tick collars (dogs only) which help for up to two months, but are a problem in swimming dogs

b)       Frontline spray every two weeks will help for both tick and flea prevention

c)       Proban tablets given on alternate days may also help

d)       Frontline topspot applied fortnightly will also help with ticks and fleas.  It is particularly useful for long haired pets.

The above advice is just that. It is impossible to assess your pet via the Internet. Seek the advice of your local vet.