Paralysis ticks are one of the most dangerous parasites for pets in Australia. Found mainly along the east coast, they can still affect pets in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains – especially if your furry friend loves adventures in bushy areas or you travel to the coast. Knowing how to prevent, recognise, and respond to tick paralysis could save your pet’s life.

As the days heat up, so does the danger from paralysis ticks – with spring and summer seeing the greatest number of cases. 

What Are Paralysis Ticks?

The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) attaches to your pet and releases a toxin that affects the nervous system. Just one tick can cause severe illness and, if left untreated, can be fatal.

How to identify a Paralysis Tick

Colour

Adults are typically greyish-white to bluish-grey once engorged with blood.

Before feeding, they may look pale brown.

Size

Unfed adults: about 2–4 mm long (pinhead size). Engorged females: up to 1 cm or larger, making them easier to spot.

Distinctive Feature

Unlike bush ticks or brown dog ticks, the paralysis tick has a noticeable darker patch (scutum) behind its head

Symptoms of Tick Paralysis

Sings can develop quickly and may worsen over 12-24 hours.

  • Weakness or wobbliness in the back legs
  • A change in your dog's bark or your cat's meow
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Vomiting, gagging or drooling
  • Collapse

If you notice any of these symptoms, treat it as an emergency and contact us immediatly

Tick Prevention Options

Protecting your pet is far easier – and safer – than treating tick paralysis. Thankfully, there are several effective preventatives available. Some preventatives are only for specific species (ie dog or cat specific), and most of the over the counter options cover multiple parasites. 

If you are unsure which is the best preventative option for you, feel free to discuss it with your vet at your next visit. 

Annual Injection

Bravetco Quantum is a fairly new product on the market that helps prevent paralysis ticks for 12 months. At this stage it is only approved for use in dogs. 

Topical Spot-Ons

Popular tick preventatives include Bravecto, NexGard, Advantix, and Advocate. These are simple to apply, and depending on the brand, provide protection lasting anywhere from one to six months. Always follow the product instructions for best results

Chews and Oral Preventatives

Like spot-ons that are various brands that offer a chew or oral version of their tick preventative, these include, bravecto, nexgard and simparica. Again, frequency varies between brands, so ensure your follow directions.

Extra Tick Safety Tips

Perform daily tick checks

especially around the head, neck, ears, and under the collar.

Keep your yard tidy

by trimming long grass and clearing leaf litter

After holidays

be extra careful, especially if you were somewhere coastal or bushy

What to Do if You Find a Tick

  1. Remove it straight away using a tick remover tool or tweezers.
  2. Keep the tick for identification.
  3. Call WellPet Vets immediately, even if your pet looks fine – symptoms can appear hours later.

Final Word

Paralysis ticks are a serious threat to pets, but with consistent prevention and regular checks, you can keep your furry friend safe. Talk to our team at WellPet Vets to find the best tick prevention plan for your pet.
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