Northern beaches family spend $25,000 on cat to keep her alive from tick paralysis
A northern beaches family has spent the equivalent cost of a new car to keep their cat — Pink Floyd — alive after she was struck down with deadly tick paralysis.
Manly
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PINK Floyd is a cat that has almost used up all her nine lives — and in the process cost her owners more than $25,000.
John Winstanley, 65, of Newport, said keeping seven-year-old Pink Floyd alive had cost him the price of a small car, but she was worth it.
The culprit? Paralysis ticks. “We had four cats, but have lost two to ticks,” Mr Winstanley said.
Each medical emergency involving a paralysis tick and one of his pets has cost him between $2000 and $13,000, depending on whether the cat needs to go on a drip or into intensive care at the vet hospital.
In particular, Pink Floyd has got herself into more trouble than most.
“Floyd has had six ticks and has been in and out of hospital, but the cost is irrelevant,” Mr Winstanley, who has four daughters, said. “Getting the best outcome for the animal and the family is what is important.
“We might curse when we see there’s another tick, but it’s all done with love. She’s a great kitty cat.”
Dr Jenny Wingham, of Mona Vale Veterinary Hospital, said the northern beaches was a hotspot for ticks and owners needed to check their pets regularly.
She also urged them to take preventive medication for cats that kill ticks so they drop off if they bite.
“Cats are at greater risk of complications from ticks than, say, dogs,” Dr Wingham said. “It’s often harder for owners to detect there’s a problem until the symptoms have progressed, which is often too late.”
In Australia, it is estimated at least 10,000 cats and dogs need veterinary help each year, with many animals dying as a result of just one tick bite.
Mr Winstanley said: “Sometimes I find the paralysis tick in time and sometimes it’s too late. It’s always the same symptoms. The back legs can’t move properly, they become lethargic and their eyes become droopy.”
Mr Winstanley said since giving Pink Floyd preventive treatments she had not had a tick issue. “Pink Floyd is a miracle. She’s been on death’s door and on life support costing $1000 a day but she’s still with us,” he said.