Tick Paralysis in Dogs & Cats (Sydney): What To Do When You Find a Tick

Emergency warning: If your dog or cat is showing any signs of tick paralysis (wobbliness, weakness, breathing changes, vomiting/retching, voice change, collapse),come to VSOS  Emergency immediately. Do not wait to “see how they go”. Early treatment saves lives.

Along Australia’s east coast, including Sydney and surrounds, the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is common in bushy coastal zones and can cause rapidly progressive, life-threatening paralysis in dogs and cats. Toxin from the tick’s saliva disrupts the connection between nerves and muscles, affecting the legs, swallowing and breathing. Even after the tick is removed, deterioration can continue for 24-48 hours, so monitoring and veterinary care are crucial.

Seasonality: Risk spikes in spring and summer, but cases still occur in autumn and winter; assume year-round risk in Sydney.

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• Keep your pet calm and as still as possible. Movement can accelerate toxin spread.
• Remove the tick promptly with a tick remover or fine tweezers: grasp close to the skin and lift steadily. Avoid squeezing the body. If removal is difficult, go straight to your local vet.
• Save the tick in a sealed bag or container for identification.
• Keep your pet quiet, cool and monitored, and visit your local vet the same day, even if they seem normal. Signs can be delayed after removal.
• Do not apply alcohol, oils or burn the tick; these can increase toxin release and delay care.
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Ticks are often small and hidden; a bite site may be impossible to find. Rely on clinical signs and recent outdoor exposure rather than visible bite marks. Seek veterinary care straight away if you notice any of the following:

• Wobbliness/weakness (typically starts in the hind legs and progresses)
• Change in breathing: faster rate, effortful or noisy breaths; panting, hacking or retching
• Vomiting, retching, drooling or regurgitation (throat and oesophagus become weak)
• Change in voice (altered bark/meow)
• Reduced blinking or eye changes
• Collapse (even if they get up again) still an emergency

Red flags for immediate emergency care: obvious breathing difficulty, repeated retching with froth, inability to stand, blue/pale gums, or any rapid progression of signs. Come to the VSOS Emergency Hospital immediately.

The goal is to avoid delays while recognising that many local vets can start care:

• No or very mild signs (same-day local vet):
  You’ve removed a tick and your pet seems normal or only slightly off (quieter than usual, mild voice change, reduced appetite). See your local vet the same day, signs can worsen hours after removal.

• Moderate to severe signs, or after hours (come to VSOS Emergency now):
  Weakness/wobbliness, trouble rising or walking; breathing changes (effortful, noisy, faster) or repeated retching/vomiting; collapse; or worsening signs over minutes to hours. These patients can die without treatment. VSOS is open 24/7 and is especially equipped for severe cases (ICU, oxygen, ventilation).

• If your local vet starts treatment:
  That’s appropriate - don’t delay. Many clinics will begin antiserum and IV support, then liaise with VSOS for transfer if continuous monitoring (often 24-48 h), blood-gas/ventilation, or ICU-level nursing becomes necessary. (Tick patients often worsen for 24-48 hours after antiserum, so planning for monitoring matters.)

Treatment is tailored to severity, but commonly includes:

• Tick antiserum to neutralise the circulating toxin
• Hospital monitoring for at least 24-48 hours after tick removal (deterioration can continue). Severe cases may need a week or two
• IV fluids, sedation for comfort, full-body clipping, intravenous antibiotics if pneumonia is present/suspected, plus eye and bladder care
• Nutrition support (tube feeding may be required in severe cases)
• Oxygen therapy; intensive care and ventilation (life support) if needed
• Chest X-rays as needed if aspiration pneumonia is suspected (a risk when swallowing is weak)

Most mildly affected pets recover within 1-2 days after prompt treatment; moderate cases often need 2-4 days. Severe cases require ICU care, and some need ventilation for several days. Early intervention improves outcomes.

Perform a slow, methodical “finger-walk” down to the skin, starting with the front half (around the head/neck/shoulders, where ~70% of ticks are found), but check everywhere: ears (inside), lip margins, under the collar, skin folds, between toes and around the anus. Clip long coats in spring/summer to make searches easier. Use preventatives exactly as directed and never use dog products on cats.

Modern preventatives have reduced cases, but no product is 100%. Combine medication + daily searches. Set reminders for the correct dosing interval (tick schedules can differ from flea schedules), dose to current body weight, and confirm cat-safe options for felines.

If I took the tick off and my pet looks fine, do I still need a vet?
Yes, visit your vet the same day. Pets can worsen hours after removal. A quick check can catch subtle signs and start treatment before breathing is compromised.

Should I keep the tick?
If possible, yes, bring it in a sealed container, bag or photo. Identification can help, but treatment decisions are guided by clinical signs.

Can one pet have more than one tick?
Yes. Multiple ticks (including tiny “seed” ticks) are possible, so vets may recommend a full clip and repeated searches during the hospital stay.

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• Act early. If you find a tick or see any of the signs above, don’t wait—seek veterinary care promptly.
• Don’t wait for breathing issues. Paralysis can progress quickly; outcomes are better with prompt antiserum and supportive care.
• Search daily + prevent year-round. Sydney is a high-risk area; prevention + checks are your best defence.

If your pet has moderate or severe symptoms, or it’s after hours for your local vet, come to VSOS Emergency immediately. We’re equipped for antiserum, oxygen, intensive care and ventilation when needed, and we’ll guide you through treatment and recovery step by step.