Tick Toxicity Home Care

What is tick toxicity and is it common?

Tick toxicity is due to the toxin from a tick called Ixodes holocyclus or the paralysis tick. The tick toxin causes various signs which will be described later. Tick toxicity or poisoning is very common in areas where the tick is found such as along the Eastern seaboard of Australia. Thankfully areas outside of this relatively narrow band of coastal land, pets are saved from the danger of poisoning by this deadly tick. Tick season may be year round in some tropical regions but is classically Spring and Summer time (August until April)

What has the veterinarian done to treat my dog for tick poisoning?

Medications have been given to calm your dog and treat the effects of the tick poison. Most importantly, the veterinarian has administered the anti-venom or tick anti-toxin. Occasionally the tick anti-toxin may cause some dangerous side effects during its administration but your veterinarian gave the anti-toxin in such a way as to minimise these risks. Your pet required hospitalisation for as long as necessary until it could walk again and eat without risk.

What do I need to do at home to care for my recovering dog?

• Keep the animal quiet and at a “comfortable” temperature (not too hot not too cold). Excitement, distress and heat greatly exacerbate any breathing difficulties. Avoid extreme temperatures since both heat and cold can worsen tick poisoning.
• Observe closely. Your pet should only improve after being discharged so any ‘set-backs’ or recurrence of symptoms should be reported immediately.
• Strict rest. Keep exercise to a minimum for at least one week until completely recovered from the toxin’s effects. Whilst it rarely occurs, some dogs can die suddenly even after appearing to have fully recovered from tick poisoning and exercise may predispose to this rare outcome.

Due to toxins effects, your pet may take several days to function normally. Urination and defaecation may be slowed down and swallowing may be awkward.

• Feed small meals several times daily rather than the usual daily meal. If vomiting occurs, stop feeding immediately and seek further veterinary advice.

What can I do to prevent tick poisoning?

Your veterinarian will discuss these options with you. There are many excellent products such as chews, spot-on products, sprays and tick collars that minimize the chance that your dog will get a tick. However it is important to realise that nothing is 100% and the best means of preventing tick poisoning is to thoroughly search your dog every single day. We will be more than happy to show you how to effectively perform a tick search on your pet. It will also help to minimise the amount of exposure your dog has to bush-land and prevent unsupervised visits into the bush. Keeping your backyard well kept and trimmed will minimize the presence of ticks in the area.