‘Particularly bad tick season’: Vet issue warning to dog owners for months ahead

Paralysis tick season starts in September, and vet owners say the conditions this year mean all pet owners have to be on alert.

Manly Road 24hr Veterinary Hospital staff are predicting a “particularly bad tick season” ahead, given months of heavy rainfall and more predicted.

Paralysis ticks inject a potentially fatal toxin, which can affect an animal up to 72 hours after it is removed.

Ticks are most commonly picked up in bushland or near waterways, especially in the warmer, wetter months of the year.

Vet nurse Kathryn Wilson on the job at the Manly Road 24hr Veterinary Clinic. Picture: Rebecca Porter

Manly Road 24hr Veterinary Hospital nurse Kathryn Wilson said paralysis tick season in September, October and November was the busiest and worst time for those in the vet industry.

“A particularly bad one about five years ago broke me. I just couldn’t stop crying,’’ she said.

“You see so many sick animals, the prognosisis usually not great, you’re working long hours and it’s emotionally draining and physically draining.’’

The Veterinary Hospital’s tip for protecting your pets are: 

PROTECT your pets with year-round medication. Keep your dog’s coat short in spring/summer months. Run your hands over your dog’s body daily, paying particular attention to head and neck areas.

REMOVE any paralysis ticks immediately, by gripping it as close to the animal’s skin as possible and pulling them straight out.

This dog needed to be heavily sedated and ventilated after a tick bite. He made a full recovery. Picture: Rebecca Porter

KEEP your pet calm and cool for several days after locating and removing the tick. Do not allow exercise.

WATCH for symptoms including drunken stagger, retching or coughing, change in bark tone, lethargy, loss of appetite, breathing difficulty, vomiting or diarrhoea, and at worst, complete paralysis.

SEEK help from your vet as soon as you notice any symptoms. Treatment can include tick anti-serum, blood tests, throat suction, urinary catheter, oxygen therapy and ventilation under heavy sedation.