TICK WARNING

We have already had multiple cases of tick paralysis!

Please check when your furbabies are due for their next treatment, and make sure you keep them up to date!

We understand that preventative treatments are an extra cost, which can be difficult towards the end of the year, but the cost of preventatives is much less than the cost of treatment of paralysis ticks.

Preventative treatments can cost approximately $30 a month, whereas tick paralysis can end up being thousands of dollars for severe cases, and can often be fatal.

Signs of tick paralysis:

• Uncoordination - particularly in the back legs

• Weakness

• Collapse

• Vomiting or retching

• Difficulty breathing

Tick paralysis TREATMENT may involve:

• Removal of all ticks

• Sedation (as needed) to minimise stress during treatment

• Tick antiserum

• Fasting. Tick patients are fasted until their swallow reflex returns to prevention obstructions and aspiration.

• Time. Time in hospital will vary depending on degree of paralysis and condition of patient. Some patients will recover and go home in a day or so, others can be hospitalised for over a week.

There are a number of excellent tick PREVENTION products, we highly recommend:

• Bravecto spot on: available for cats and dogs. Lasts six months for dogs, 3 months for cats.

• Bravecto chew: available for dogs. Lasts three months.

• Nexgard/Nexgard spectra: available for dogs. Lasts one month.

Other tips for tick prevention:

• Avoid bushy habitats if possible. Before visiting tick-prone areas, even only for short periods, use preventatives.

• Have long-haired pets clipped to make it easier to find ticks.

• Check pets for ticks every day (front legs, neck, face and ears are common targets).