Ticks are common parasites that can infest dogs in Australia, with the most prevalent ones being the paralysis tick, the brown dog tick, and the bush tick.
The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) poses a significant danger to your pet's health. Tick paralysis is estimated to affect tens of thousands of dogs and cats each year in Australia, leading to many fatalities. While the greatest risk is during spring and summer when adult ticks are abundant, tick-borne disease can occur throughout the year. Paralysis ticks are primarily found along the east coast of Australia, spanning from northern Queensland to Victoria.
Once a tick attaches itself to the host animal and feeds on its blood, it releases a toxin that can result in severe illness or even death in dogs and cats. Both young and adult pets can be affected.
Signs of tick paralysis include loss of coordination in the hind legs (difficulty standing or walking), which may progress to the front legs, changes in bark, retching, coughing or vomiting, loss of appetite, and labored or rapid breathing. Any of these symptoms may indicate the presence of a paralysis tick. If your dog exhibits any of these signs, it is crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately.
Although brown dog ticks and bush ticks do not cause tick paralysis, they can cause skin irritation and transmit other diseases, such as Babesia parasites, which invade dogs' red blood cells and can lead to anemia (which can be fatal).
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