Check your animals for ticks

WELCOME to spring: the ticks are out and about in abundance (not that they ever really stop in this part of the country), and with the increasing number of cases, I feel the time for a run down on conventional wisdom is due.

Ticks are a unique Australian parasite and our pets do not share the resistance to their toxic effects enjoyed by native wildlife. As such, tick envenomation poses a considerable health risk to companion animals (and their owners) all down the East Coast. We are getting better at treatment, but the main conclusion reached from a large population case study that

I was involved with nearly twenty years ago, is that there is no way to predict how an individual case will progress. This is because of a huge variation in both individual tick toxicity and the patient’s ability to cope with the toxin.

Despite our best efforts, we veterinarians still lose patients to the effects of paralysis ticks.

The obvious weakness/ unsteadiness that is usually noticed as one of the first symptoms is accompanied by effects on the heart and digestive tract. Vomiting, retching, coughing and even a change in voice can indicate the presence of a tick. Once the tick is located and removed, there is still circulating toxin that can cause a progressive worsening of symptoms over the ensuing 24 to 48 hours, and the big question mark at this point is how bad will it get?

With this in mind, current best practice is to treat

early and aggressively with antivenom even if symptoms are mild.

All too often we see dogs and cats whose owners have adopted a wait and watch approach after removing a tick, which unfortunately does not always end well.

If you notice any symptoms, it is recommended to get your dog or cat assessed and treated as soon as possible. Remember that most patients will continue to deteriorate once the tick has been removed. Ensure that you are using an appropriate preventative at the right dose and frequency, and hopefully then I won’t be seeing your little friend with tick poisoning.

Dr Craig Marshall can be reached at Cooroy Veterinary Surgery on 5447 6655 or email at info@cooroyvets.com.au