PET OWNERS: HIGH ALERT FOR DEADLY TICKS

Parasites now a year-round threat

*Rover is one lucky dog. The Labrador was brought in to Sydney Vet Clinic today after being bitten by a potentially deadly paralysis tick. Owner, Ron Gibbs, said that his concerns were raised when Rover refused to eat yesterday. A quick check and a tick was found, resulting in a hasty trip to the vet.

Typically, the peak time for tick activity along the Australian east coast was confined to the warmer months, allowing pet owners a breather over winter.

However, this conventional wisdom has been turned on its head with cases of paralysis ticks reported throughout June, July and August last year, and this year is set to be no different.  

In response to the extended threat posed by ticks, Budget Pet Products is urging dog owners to be increasingly vigilant with their tick protection regime.

In addition to a longer tick season, the dreaded parasites are now spreading to areas previously regarded as low/no risk in the south east of the country.

“We urge pet owners to protect against potentially deadly ticks all year round and to continue using a product specifically aimed at killing and repelling ticks, Coupled with regular checks for ticks, this can go a long way towards avoiding the associated stress and heartache that they can cause and no pet owner wants to unnecessarily experience that.”

“It is also important to remember that flea only treatments will not protect dogs against ticks, so make sure you are using a suitable product.”

If your dog has a tick, or shows signs of tick paralysis, contact your vet immediately to access medical advice and treatment,

Signs of Paralysis Tick Toxicity

• weakness in the legs, especially hind legs
• a drunken gait
• muted barking
• rapid, noisy breathing
• slow grunting breathing
• coughing, gagging, drooling and vomiting

Sometimes signs are less apparent, and can include lethargy and loss of appetite.

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from tick paralysis do not delay, get them to the vet as soon as possible.

Budget Pet Products recommends that to reduce the chances of tick paralysis you should treat your dog with a product that kills and repels ticks, such as a spot?on like Advantix which can also protect your dog from irritating biting insects such as mosquitos which can transmit deadly heartworm.