Let’s Talk Ticks: Everything You Need to Know to Protect Your Pet
Paralysis ticks are one of the most serious threats to your pet in the Northern Rivers - and while we love all creatures here at Lennox Head Vet Clinic, these guys really suck (no pun intended). With our warm coastal climate in Lennox Head, ticks don’t take holidays - they’re a year-round risk, but are particularly rampant (and devastating…) this time of year. But don’t worry, with the right knowledge, prevention and care, you can keep your pets safe and out of the ICU.
Meet the Paralysis Tick
Paralysis ticks may be tiny, but they pack a powerful punch. One of ~70 ticks native to Australia, these ticks rely on native wildlife such as bandicoots, possums, and wallabies as hosts, bringing them into domestic environments where they can cause significant illness. These little parasites latch onto your pet’s skin, quickly and quietly, and feed on their blood. The real danger? While they feed, they release a toxin that can cause weakness, breathing problems, paralysis - which can be life-threatening, even when treated. Not only is tick paralysis deadly and exhaustive (for everyone involved), it’s expensive, due to the 24/7 critical care your pet will require, which often includes placing them in an induced coma, with mechanical ventilation.
While there is antivenom, which is the first step in treatment, this does not guarantee a pet’s survival - due to the neurotoxicity and devastating effects of the tick venom. Not exactly the kind of hitchhiker you want your dog or cat picking up after a walk (or even just in the backyard…).
📊 Paralysis ticks are responsible for thousands of pet emergencies every year in Australia, with the highest risk in warm coastal regions like Northern NSW.
Spotting the Signs
The earlier you notice tick paralysis, the higher the likelihood of a better outcome.
Keep an eye out for:
Wobbly back legs or a drunken walk
Weakness or sudden collapse
Trouble breathing, or a change in bark/meow
Vomiting or gagging
Going off their food
📊 Studies show that dogs and cats not on tick prevention are at a significantly higher risk of severe harm and death from paralysis ticks. Prevention is key, and big part of being a responsible pet parent if living in the Northern Rivers.
Tick-Smart Tips
Staying one step ahead of ticks is all about prevention:
Regular tick prevention treatments: Chat with our team about which product suits your pet best. Nexgard Spectra and Bravecto Plus are the two most common preventions we stock here, but there are several on the market to suit just about every lifestyle and pet.
Daily tick checks: A slow pat-down doubles as cuddle time - win-win!
Tidy up the garden: Ticks love long grass and shrubs.
Be mindful in tick hotspots: Bushland and coastal scrub are tick favourites.
Found a Tick? Here’s What to Do
Use a tick remover or fine tweezers to gently pull it out.
Pop it in a container for ID (gross but useful).
Call us at Lennox Head Vet Clinic, or Animal Emergency Service North Coast in Bangalow if afterhours, even if your pet seems okay - symptoms can sneak in later.
Take it from us.
We’ve seen (and treated) our fair share of ticks! Currently, vet hospitals around the region are inundated with tick paralysis cases, with exhausted staff as well as exhausted patients and their families. We want our community to be informed, prepared and most importantly, safe. Ticks don’t discriminate, whether it is an indoor cat, a fit young pup or a dog that’s ‘never had a problem in 10 years of bush walks’. We have seen it all, and unless your pet is on prevention, with regular coat checks and diligence - they are sitting ducks for these devastating little critters.
Let’s keep your pets tick-free together. Call us or come in to the clinic to chat about the best prevention for your pet. We’re always happy to help.
🐾 Lennox Head Vet Clinic