Stay Tick Alert To Keep Fur Babies Safe

With wet weather conditions combined with warming temperatures in the Mackay region this means ticks are out in full-force, with RSPCA Queensland warning pet owners of the potential dangers these parasites can pose to pets.

Ticks cause severe illness in our pets and in the worst cases, can lead to death. They may be small, but they are one of the most dangerous parasites affecting domesticated animals.

RSPCA Qld Veterinary Hospital Manager, Emma MacDonald said there were many tick preventative products available which repel or kill ticks, protecting pets from the deadly paralysis tick.

“Keeping up to date with prevention all year round is the best way to protect our pets.

“Remembering ticks can be fatal and knowing the signs to ensure that treatment can be given quickly will also ensure a better chance at survival for our animals.

“Checking your pet daily and thoroughly from nose to tail, running fingertips through coat and checking in ears, between paw pads, under armpits and all over the body.

“If a tick or a crater is found and your pet is showing clinical signs of tick paralysis, take them to your vet immediately.” Emma said.

Tick paralysis symptoms include:

• Loss of coordination in the hindlegs.

• A change in the bark or the meow of the animal

• Retching, coughing and vomiting

• Excessive drooling and salivation

• Loss of appetite

• Difficulty breathing

A statement from Mackay Veterinary Clinic stated, “Living in North Queensland, our pets really do brave the elements with the heat, snakes, leptospirosis, heartworm and this time of year - paralysis ticks.

“Paralysis ticks are certainly on the move early this year and are packing an extra punch as we start to see more and more pets arrive at our hospital for treatment.”

Northern Beaches Vet Hospital commented, “One of the main questions we get asked about ticks is how to identify which are paralysis ticks and which are bush/brown or cattle ticks.

“The best way to tell them apart is by the legs. The paralysis ticks have legs near the head in a V-shape, whereas the bush/brown or cattle ticks have the legs spaced out around the body.”

A good rhyme to remember the difference between ticks is ‘Spaced Out Arms Do No Harm, Legs Near The Head - Get the Vet out of Bed!’

Two confronting cases of neglect from North Queensland, Colby and Conrad, have demonstrated how seriously a pet’s condition can deteriorate if ticks are left untreated.

RSPCA Queensland Inspectorate Team Leader Ben Newman said his team were shocked and saddened at the condition of the two puppies found with a heavy tick burden.

“These puppies had a large burden of ticks and needed urgent veterinary treatment.

“If left untreated, ticks are deadly. We frequently see similar cases like this that result in the death of an animal due to paralysis ticks, anaemia from large burdens of ticks, or disease caused from tick bites.” Ben said.

Colby and Conrad have made a full recovery after veterinary care and are now available to adopt from RSPCA Mackay.

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A visual guide to identify and differentiate between the types of ticks. Photo credit: Northern Beaches Vet Hospital

Before images showing the terrible neglect to Colby and Conrad from multiple ticks

Colby and Conrad have been treated for ticks and are available for adoption from the RSPCA