Ticks: what you need to know

Ticks are common in Australia, and paralysis ticks pose a great threat to pets. September marks the start of the paralysis tick season in many parts of Australia, so the beginning of spring should be a reminder to protect our dogs from these little nasties with a recommended tick treatment.

What are ticks?

• Ticks are more closely related to spiders (arachnids) than they are to fleas
• They are parasites that must take a blood meal from an animal or ‘host’ in order to grow, develop and reproduce
• They have 4 different life stages – egg, larva, nymph and adult – and all except the egg must find a host to bite and take a blood meal

A bit about ticks

• Ticks prefer warm and humid conditions
• Adult ticks are most active and abundant in spring and summer (’tick season‘), but can be found all year round, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions
• Most commonly found in dense bush and long grass, pet beds and kennels
• Ticks damage the skin of animals when they bite creating wounds susceptible to secondary bacterial infection

Understanding Paralysis ticks

The natural hosts of the paralysis ticks are native Australian animals in the bush. However, ticks commonly attach to other non-native hosts, including dogs and humans. Paralysis ticks are the most concerning tick species for pet owners and vets in Australia, as one bite from a paralysis tick can kill a dog.

There are two species of paralysis ticks in Australia, the Australian paralysis tick and the Tasmanian paralysis tick

What makes paralysis ticks so concerning?

Paralysis ticks inject a neurotoxin into the bloodstream of their host when they are taking a blood meal. This toxin causes progressive paralysis of muscles throughout the body.

Other ticks of concern in Australia

Brown dog ticks can cause heavy infestations

• Most commonly live in the environment of their host (e.g. the kennel, backyard or inside your home)
• Non-venomous, but can cause discomfort and irritation (‘tick worry’) and anaemia due to blood loss from heavy infestations
• Can transmit blood-borne diseases when they bite e.g. tick fever

Bush ticks prefer cattle

• These ticks prefer to use cattle as their hosts, but will also bite and feed on dogs and other animals
• This tick is also non-venomous, but their bites can cause ‘tick worry’
• Rarely cause anaemia (with heavy tick burdens) or a localised bacterial infection at the site of attachment

Always be prepared

What to do if you find a tick?

• Don’t panic! Keep your pet calm if you are unsure what species of tick it is
• Remove the tick immediately and keep looking for more – use your thumb and index finger or tweezers placed close to the skin to remove the tick by twisting and pulling
• Keep the tick in a plastic container or zip lock bag for identification by your vet

Contact your vet immediately, particularly if you are concerned they may have been bitten by a paralysis tick or are showing signs of tick paralysis

Travelling and holidays

When travelling with your dog to a paralysis tick area, protect your dog with a tick prevention product and search your dog for ticks daily. If you’re unsure if your holiday destination is a tick area, call a local vet or call the Advantage pet care line for advice.

Protecting your pet

Here are some tips on how to protect your pet from tick paralysis:

• Use a product that not only kills, but also repels paralysis ticks
• Use products regularly and as directed
• Take particular care to thoroughly search your dog after bush walking or visiting the beach
• For heavy brown dog tick infestations, environmental treatment with an insecticidal spay will be necessary
• Check your pet at least once a day for ticks during tick season by running your fingers through your pet’s coat – common areas for ticks to attach are around the head and neck, chest, mouth and gums, and between their toes

Repellency – what does it mean?

Products that repel ticks offer the best protection for dogs as they don’t rely on the tick having to bite your dog in order to receive a chemical active from your dog’s blood. Tick-biting is, after all, the very thing you are trying to prevent!

Repelling ticks to prevent biting is important because tick bites:

• From paralysis ticks can kill
• Cause discomfort and distress to dogs
• Can leave unsightly scarring or ‘craters’ on a dog’s skin which leaves the animal susceptible to secondary bacterial infection and self-trauma
• Can transmit diseases