© Kirrawee Veterinary Hospital CANINE DISEASES
Tick Paralysis
A number of ticks including Ixodes and Dermacentor species can
cause weakness and eventually paralysis in dog and cats. These
ticks attach to the skin and secrete a toxin which blocks the
signal from the nerves to the muscles. Early signs include loss
of voice, hind leg weakness, excessive salivation and occasionally
vomiting. Gradually the paralysis of the hind legs increases and
moves forward to include the front legs and respiratory muscles.
Breathing slows and has a characteristic grunt as air is expelled.
Death can result from respiratory failure. Female ticks attach and feed by sucking blood before falling off
after 3-4 days to lay eggs. These eggs hatch to immature laval
ticks which must attach and feed before falling of to further
develop into adults. Finding and killing the ticks is the first priority to prevent
further production of venom. For most tick species removal of
the tick will lead to recovery from paralysis, however for the
Ixodes ticks there is some evidence that early removal of the
tick may result in a period of rapid deterioration of the animal.
This is possibly due to a greater rate of absorption of venom
from under the skin secondary to the inflammation created when
the tick is forcefully removed. Pyrethrins and Fipronil are both
very effective at killing ticks which will generally fall off
after 2-3 days. Although may animals will recover after the tick is killed antiserum
may be necessary to neutralized the tick venom in more severe
cases. Ticks are also important vectors (carriers of infection) for a
number of diseases including Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia)
and Lyme disease (Borrelia).
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