Ticks

It is important to note that cats and dogs can be bitten by ticks. The ticks that attach to your pet are initially so tiny that they are very difficult to find. When checking your pet, make sure you look behind their ears, back legs, between their toes and under their tail. It is especially important to check your pets when they have been in long grass and scrub areas. It is usually not until the clinical signs develop that the tick is large enough to be seen or felt. With all ticks, immediate removal is desired.

If you do remove the tick yourself, make sure you place the tick into a jar then immediately call our clinic to book an appointment with a vet. Being able to identify the type of tick can help our team determine whether or not your pet may need further medical treatment. Never hesitate to call us if you are worried your pet has a tick. Prevention can save your pets life.

Not all tics are paralysis ticks. Paralysis ticks are small, round, eight-legged parasites that burrow into your pet’s skin to feed. They release a neurotoxin, which is absorbed into the pet’s bloodstream. This toxin then gradually diffuses into the nervous system, causing progressive flaccid paralysis of all muscles.

Keep an eye out in the coming weeks about what products we offer to help your pets stay protected from ticks, including the paralysis tick.