Essential Guide to Tick Prevention and Emergency Care

This year alone, Highfields Veterinary Surgery has treated 77 pets for tick paralysis and 26 for snake bites. Our beautiful region is home to abundant wildlife, but this includes these dangerous parasites that can pose serious health risks to our beloved pets.

Here’s what every pet owner should know about preventing tick attachments and the crucial steps to treat them.

Prevention and Early Detection

Prevention starts with preventatives.

Ticks can latch onto your pets if they wander through tall grasses or wooded areas. These parasites start to secrete the paralysis toxin 2-72 hours after attachment.

Most premium tick preventatives kill ticks within 24 hours, before the toxin can be secreted, but only if it has been administered prior to the initial attachment. These preventatives will kill future ticks when they attach, but they do not undo the original tick’s neurotoxin. This is why early preventative action is so essential.

At Highfields Vet Surgery we recommend preventatives such as Bravecto, Simparica Trio, Felpreva and Nexguard Spectra. Bravecto can be given via an injection, chew or topical applicator. Simparica Trio is a monthly chew, while Felpreva and Nexguard Spectra are topical applications.

Depending on the product, they need to be applied every month, quarterly (every 3 months), or annually (only available with the Bravecto Quantum injection).

Talk to your vet about which option is right for you and your pet and ensure you keep up-to-date with administration.

Prevention is NOT a treatment, and no preventatives are 100% effective. Performing a tick check is a simple but crucial practice for catching these parasites early and removing them immediately.

How to Perform a Tick Check

1. Feel Thoroughly: Regularly run your fingers through your pet’s coat. Feel for bumps and lumps—these could be ticks.
2. Focus on Key Areas: Pay extra attention to your pet's face, neck, ears, and legs.
3. Examine the Face: Start with the nose and check the face, including ears and any skin folds.
4. Check the Body: Make sure to examine the chest, back, belly, and even between the toes.

Remember: Tick searches are not fool-proof.

Small ticks can be hard to find and by the time they are, they have often been secreting toxins for some time.  An animal may develop symptoms of tick paralysis several days after a tick has been found and removed. If your pet is showing signs of tick paralysis it is highly likely they will require treatment, even if the tick has been removed.

Signs of Tick Paralysis

Change in Voice: Barking or meowing may sound different.

Weakness or Wobbling: Notice any unsteady movement in the hind or front legs.

Breathing Changes: Watch for panting or unusual breathing.

Excessive Drooling: Increased salivation can be a sign.

Coughing: Persistent coughing can be a symptom.

Loss of Appetite: If your pet isn’t eating, it could be a concern.

Abnormal Behaviours: Regurgitation, gagging, or vomiting are warning signs.

Emergency Tick Treatment

When a pet is brought in with tick paralysis symptoms, our immediate action plan includes:

• Physical Assessment: We conduct a thorough check to locate and identify any ticks. For long-haired breeds, a tick clip may be necessary.
• Comfort is Key: We administer sedation to minimize stress for the pet.
• Precision Monitoring: An intravenous catheter is placed, and the pet is attached to a fluid line. Our nurses closely monitor the pet for the full duration of the Tick Antiserum (TAS) administration and beyond.
• Understanding TAS: TAS helps neutralize the toxin before it binds to the nerve endings. It is crucial to administer this as soon as possible for maximum effectiveness.
• Continued Vigilance: We continue checking for ticks throughout the treatment and apply Bravecto Spot-On afterward for ongoing protection.

This year, Highfields Vet Surgery has seen a significant number of pets affected by tick and snake incidents. Our proactive approach not only treats affected animals but also focuses on extensive community education to prevent future occurrences.

Preventing tick paralysis is an integral part of pet care, especially in areas prone to these pests. It is crucial to perform regular pet checks, maintain a clean environment, and know what steps to take if your pet does come into contact with a tick. If you suspect a tick attachment, contact your clinic immediately.

Early intervention can save lives.

For more information on pet care or to schedule a visit, please contact us on 07 4630 8399 or email us at info@highfieldsvetsurgery.com.au.

Let's keep our pets safe, healthy, and happy together!