Pet owners in Brisbane are being urged to stay vigilant as Dr Sureiyan Hardjo, a vet at the Animal Referral Hospital in Sinnamon Park, reports an increase in cases of tick paralysis, with several dogs requiring intensive care treatment.
The vet noted that the clinic has been busier in recent weeks due to an uptick in paralysis tick cases. Dr Hardjo highlighted that seven pets were admitted to the Sinnamon Park facility’s intensive care unit in one week, with three requiring intubation and one placed on a ventilator.
The previous week, two animals were also on ventilators due to severe symptoms from tick bites.
Predicting Tick Season
According to Professor Stephen Barker, a parasitologist from the University of Queensland, the severity of each tick season is closely tied to the weather. Mr Barker, who has studied paralysis ticks for over 25 years, explained that while this year is expected to have an “average” risk of tick poisoning, this still translates to thousands of vet visits. He emphasised that even an average season could be dangerous for pets, and pet owners should remain cautious.
Female paralysis ticks, known scientifically as Ixodes holocyclus, lay eggs around January depending on the weather. Mr Barker pointed out that while hot and dry conditions can reduce the number of ticks, mild and wet weather helps them survive and reach maturity, making them more likely to seek out hosts in spring and summer.
Symptoms and Treatment
Paralysis ticks release toxins when they feed on their hosts, which can cause severe physiological complications, especially in dogs and cats.
According to Dr Hardjo, common symptoms include weakness in the legs, laboured breathing, and changes in behaviour, such as lethargy or difficulty swallowing. He warned that these symptoms can quickly become life-threatening if left untreated, with some animals experiencing paralysis of vital muscles, including those used for breathing.
Mr Barker recommended checking pets regularly for ticks, especially after being outdoors. Treatment typically involves administering tick anti-serum and manually checking the animal for additional ticks. Recovery times vary, depending on the severity of the case, but pets with mild symptoms can often return home within a couple of days.
With the tick season upon them, both experts call on the community to proactively protect their pets. Dr Hardjo stressed that keeping dogs on a leash and using preventative treatments are key to avoiding serious illness.