Pretty Fluffy

Health & Wellbeing

Paralysis Tick Poisoning: How to Protect Your Dog & Save Their Life

With over 10,000 cases of paralysis ticks reported every year, Australian vets are urging owners to protect their doggos this season.

Copy: Serena Faber-Nelson

Photography: Serena Faber-Nelson

Ahhh, summer…filled with beaches, long lazy evenings, Sunday sessions and ummm…paralysis ticks.

That’s right, tick season is upon again and with 1 in 5 Australian dog owners NOT protecting their pups, it’s time for us all to refresh ourselves on how to keep our furry friends safe.

How to Protect Your Dog From Paralysis Ticks

While the idea of paralysis ticks seems scarier than if Pennywise from ‘It’ had a love child with Freddy Krueger, they don’t have to be.

Yes, they can cause paralysis.

Yes, 2 out of every 10 cases will be fatal.

But, there is some good news. Year round protection from paralysis ticks is totally available.

How to make sure your dog is protected? It’s simple: follow the T.I.C.K. method.

T is for TREAT. Year round prevention for ticks is easy. Just one Bravecto oral chew keeps your dog protected from fleas for 3 months and paralysis ticks for 4 months.The trick is to treat all year round – not just in the peak seasons. All it takes is one tick to hurt your dog, so 365-day prevention is key. And remember – flea treatments, while great for fleas, don’t offer protection against ticks. Always make sure you’re using a treatment that specifically targets paralysis ticks.

I is for INSPECT. While prevention is the #1 key to protecting your dog from ticks, inspecting your dog regularly gives that extra peace of mind. Paralysis ticks like to hang out in the nooks and crevices of your dog’s body. Make sure you inspect your dog on a regular basis – during your dog’s daily brush for example.

C is for CLEAN. Rid you home of spots for ticks to hide in! Keep your lawn freshly mowed, and hedges trimmed to prevent grassy build ups. Wash and clean your pet’s bedding and blankets regularly.

K is for KEEP WATCH. If your dog displays any of the symptoms of paralysis tick infestation (see below), be sure to contact your vet immediately.

Your full guide on how to spot the symptoms of paralysis tick poisoning in dogs, how to treat your pet and prevent paralysis ticks.

“No Dog Should Die from Tick Paralysis in Australia”

As Australia’s peak paralysis tick season officially starts, some of Australia’s leading emergency veterinarians have an urgent warning message for dog owners – protect your pet against tick paralysis, a preventable disease, now, or face the deadly consequences.

Director and Veterinary Specialist at The Animal Emergency Service in Queensland, Dr Rob Webster comments: “Tick paralysis is a preventable disease. When we lose dogs, a terrible outcome for all involved, we are losing dogs that could have been saved by administering a long-lasting paralysis tick treatment.”

“Once the paralysis from a tick bite has taken hold, even the very best we can do using tick anti-serum and supportive care is going to save 8 out of 10 patients. This leaves a large number of dog owners in the dreadful position where they essentially watch their dog die from a preventable disease.”

Know the Warning Signs of Paralysis Ticks

While their peak season in Australia runs August to March, paralysis ticks can be found year-round, so it’s important to be vigilant at all times.

The Australian paralysis tick is the single most dangerous parasite for dogs with just one tick capable of causing paraylsis and in some cases death.

Some of the signs that your dog may have a paralysis tick include:

Increased or laboured breathing
Coughing
Excessive salivation
Vomiting
Weakness or lameness in the hind legs.

If you see any of these signs, be sure to contact your vet immediately.

Every dog owner should know this simple, proven 4 step method to protect your dog from fleas and paralysis ticks - keeping your dog happy and healthy.

Giveaway – Win 1 of 20 Bravecto Packs

We’ve teamed up with Bravecto to offer you the chance to WIN 1 of 20 Bravecto prize packs. Enter below!

The giveaway is now closed and the lucky winners are…

Tori Norris
Lisa Gray
Gerard Egan
Kathy Ferguson Clark
Amanda Bolin
Julie Harrison
Lesley Oats
Kath Peatey
Molly Townsend
Clare Marantelli
Alana Meekin
Shannon Wotton
Kate Parry-Rice
Shannon Walker
Lisa-Marie Ford
Nicola Thompson
Michelle Hymas
Kaylene Lay
Gillian Parkinson
Kathy Mason

Terms & Conditions

This post and giveaway is brought to you by Bravecto.
The giveaway is open to Australian residents only aged 18+ years.
Family of Pretty Fluffy staff are ineligible to enter.
The total prize pool is 20 Bravecto Packs.
The competition will close on Tuesday 12 December 2017 at 6:00pm Sydney EDT and the winners drawn at this time.
The winners will be announced on Pretty Fluffy and contacted by the email provided.
Prizes not claimed within 7 days will be redrawn.

Copy: Serena Faber-Nelson

Photography: Serena Faber-Nelson