Living on Sydney’s Northern Beaches means paralysis ticks are a year-round risk for our dogs and cats. The Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) produces a toxin that interferes with normal nerve and muscle function. Affected pets can develop progressive weakness, difficulty swallowing and, in severe cases, respiratory failure.
One of the challenges with tick paralysis is that the first signs can be subtle. Wobbly or weak back legs, a change in bark or meow, vomiting or regurgitation, gagging, difficulty swallowing, or changes in breathing can all be warning signs.
Pets can continue to develop or worsen signs even after a tick has been removed. If your pet is showing symptoms, removing the tick is only the first step — they need urgent veterinary assessment.
Suspect Tick Paralysis? Call Us Immediately
If your dog or cat is weak or wobbly, vomiting or regurgitating, has a change in their voice, is having difficulty swallowing, or is breathing differently, please contact us urgently.
While arranging veterinary care:
- Do not offer food or water if your pet is showing signs of tick paralysis.
- Keep your pet calm and minimise activity.
- Remove an attached tick promptly if you can do so safely, but don't delay veterinary care while searching for ticks.
- Call Allambie Vet on (02) 9905 0505 and let our team know you are concerned about possible tick paralysis.
Difficulty breathing, collapse or rapid deterioration is an emergency.
At Allambie Vet, tick paralysis is a condition our veterinary and nursing team knows well. We have treated hundreds of tick paralysis patients, from pets showing subtle early signs through to critically affected patients requiring intensive hospital and respiratory care.
Our hospital is equipped with intensive monitoring, advanced diagnostic imaging and two mechanical ventilators for patients requiring assisted ventilation.
We know how frightening it can be when your pet suddenly becomes unwell. You don't need to be certain it's a paralysis tick before calling us. You know your pet, if something doesn't seem right, please call. We'll help you work out what they need and be there with you through their treatment.
Worried Your Pet May Have Tick Paralysis?
You don't need to be certain it's a paralysis tick before contacting us. If your pet is weak or wobbly, vomiting or regurgitating, has a change in their voice, difficulty swallowing or changes in their breathing, please call us.
Call Allambie Vet: (02) 9905 0505
Difficulty breathing, collapse or rapid deterioration requires emergency veterinary attention.
What Are the Early Signs of Tick Paralysis in Dogs and Cats?
The first signs of tick paralysis can be subtle, and they don't always appear all at once. You may simply notice that your pet seems a little different from normal.
Early signs can include:
- Wobbly or weak back legs
- An unsteady or changed walk
- Difficulty climbing stairs, standing or jumping
- A change in bark or meow
- Gagging, coughing or retching
- Vomiting or regurgitation
- Drooling or difficulty swallowing
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy or unusual quietness
- Faster, noisier or more laboured breathing
As tick paralysis progresses, pets can become increasingly weak, have difficulty standing or walking, develop significant breathing difficulties or collapse.
Don't wait until your pet is unable to walk or struggling to breathe before seeking help.
You know what is normal for your pet. If their walk suddenly looks different, their voice has changed, they are vomiting or regurgitating, or their breathing doesn't seem right, call Allambie Vet on (02) 9905 0505.
You don't need to have found a tick before calling us.
My Dog Is Wobbly on Their Back Legs — Could It Be a Paralysis Tick?
Yes. Weakness or wobbliness in the back legs can be one of the early signs of tick paralysis in dogs.
You may notice your dog walking differently, seeming unsteady, struggling with stairs, having difficulty standing or appearing weaker than usual.
There are other causes of hind leg weakness, so wobbliness doesn't automatically mean your dog has a paralysis tick. However, on Sydney's Northern Beaches, sudden unexplained weakness or a change in your dog's gait should be taken seriously.
You don't need to find a tick before seeking veterinary advice. If your dog has suddenly become weak or wobbly, particularly if they are also vomiting, regurgitating, gagging, have a changed bark or are breathing differently, call Allambie Vet promptly.
Can My Pet Get Worse After a Paralysis Tick Is Removed?
Yes. Removing the tick stops further toxin being injected, but your pet can continue to develop or worsen signs after the tick has been removed.
This is because removing the tick doesn't immediately reverse the effects of toxin that have already developed.
If your pet is showing weakness, wobbliness, vomiting or regurgitation, gagging, difficulty swallowing, a change in voice or changes in breathing, removing the tick is only the first step. They need veterinary assessment.
If you're unsure, call Allambie Vet and talk to our team.
What to Do if You Find a Tick
If you find a tick on your dog or cat, remove it as soon as you safely can. You don't need to wait until you get to the vet to remove an attached tick.
- Remove the tick promptly using a tick-removal tool or fine-tipped tweezers, grasping it as close to the skin as possible.
- Keep your pet calm and minimise activity.
- Continue searching for other ticks. Finding one tick does not mean there isn't another.
- Keep the tick in a container or take a clear photo if possible.
- Watch your pet closely for weakness or wobbliness, vomiting or regurgitation, gagging, a change in bark or meow, difficulty swallowing or changes in breathing.
- Do not apply methylated spirits, kerosene, essential oils or other chemicals to the tick, and don't try to burn it off.
- If your pet is showing signs of tick paralysis, do not offer food or water while arranging urgent veterinary care.
What if part of the tick is left behind?
Don't panic if a small piece of the tick's mouthparts remains in the skin. Once the tick's body has been removed, the remaining mouthparts do not continue to inject paralysis toxin. The area can become irritated, so contact us if you're concerned rather than digging into the skin trying to remove it yourself.
Can my pet get sick after the tick has been removed?
Yes. A pet can continue to develop or worsen signs of tick paralysis after the tick has been removed.
If your pet is weak, wobbly, vomiting or regurgitating, their voice has changed, they're having difficulty swallowing or their breathing looks different, removing the tick is only the first step they need urgent veterinary assessment.
If you're unsure what you've found or what to do next, call Allambie Vet on (02) 9905 0505. You don't need to work it out on your own — our team can help you decide the safest next step for your pet.
When and Where Are Paralysis Ticks Found?
Paralysis ticks are found along Australia’s east coast, including Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where our bushland, coastal vegetation, wildlife and leafy suburban gardens provide a suitable environment for ticks.
Paralysis ticks can be active throughout the year in Sydney — including during winter. While tick activity may increase during warmer, humid periods, we recommend year-round tick prevention for dogs and cats living on the Northern Beaches.
Your pet doesn't need to have been on a bushwalk to pick up a tick. Ticks can also be encountered in parks, backyards and suburban vegetation.
When checking your pet, search their entire body carefully. Pay particular attention to:
- Head and neck
- In and around the ears
- Around the eyes
- Lips, gums and mouth
- Under collars and harnesses
- Armpits and groin
- Between the toes and paw pads
- Around the vulva or prepuce
- Around the anus and perineum
- Tail and tail tip
Finding one tick does not mean there isn't another. Always continue your nose-to-tail search, and remember that not finding a tick does not rule out tick paralysis if your pet is showing suspicious signs.
Tick Paralysis Treatment at Allambie Vet
Treatment for tick paralysis depends on the signs your pet is showing and how severely they are affected. Every patient is different, so treatment and monitoring are tailored to your pet's individual needs.
When your pet arrives at Allambie Vet, our team will assess them promptly and determine the level of care they require. Treatment may include:
- Immediate veterinary assessment and triage, including evaluation of your pet's breathing, swallowing, mobility and neurological signs
- A thorough full-body tick search to locate and remove any remaining ticks
- Tick antiserum (TAS) when indicated, to neutralise paralysis tick toxin that is still circulating and has not yet bound
- Close hospital monitoring and intensive nursing care as your pet progresses through treatment
- Oxygen therapy for patients experiencing respiratory compromise
- IV fluids and supportive care where appropriate
- Management of regurgitation and aspiration risk, which can be an important complication of tick paralysis
- Diagnostic imaging, including X-rays or ultrasound, when needed to assess complications such as aspiration pneumonia
- Mechanical ventilation for critically affected patients who are unable to breathe adequately on their own
Allambie Vet has two mechanical ventilators, allowing our team to provide advanced respiratory support when required.
Treatment doesn't end with the antiserum
Tick antiserum is an important part of treatment, but it doesn't immediately reverse the effects of toxin that have already developed. This is why careful monitoring and supportive nursing care are so important while your pet's body recovers.
Some pets are only mildly affected, while others require more intensive treatment and hospitalisation. Your veterinarian will talk you through what we're seeing, what treatment we recommend and what we expect over the coming hours and days.
If your pet's condition changes, we'll keep you informed and discuss the next level of care with you wherever possible.
We know having a pet hospitalised with tick paralysis can be frightening. We'll be here to care for your pet and to support you through their treatment, with the same goal you have, getting them safely home to you.
Why Choose Allambie Vet for Tick Paralysis Treatment?
Tick paralysis can change quickly, which is why experienced veterinary care, close monitoring and the ability to provide respiratory support when needed are so important.
At Allambie Vet, we provide:
- Veterinarians with Emergency & Critical Care training, supported by an experienced nursing team
- Two mechanical ventilators for patients requiring assisted ventilation
- Close monitoring and intensive nursing care throughout hospitalisation
- Advanced diagnostic imaging, including X-rays and ultrasound, when further investigation is needed
- Extensive experience treating tick paralysis, with hundreds of cases managed by our team
- Individualised, compassionate care, with treatment tailored to your pet and the severity of their condition
We know how frightening it can be to have a pet in hospital with tick paralysis. Our role isn't only to provide the medical care they need, it's also to keep you informed, explain what we're seeing and help you understand the decisions that may need to be made along the way.
How Much Does Tick Paralysis Treatment Cost?
The cost of treating tick paralysis varies depending on how severely your pet is affected and the level of hospital care they require.
A mildly affected patient may need very different treatment from a pet requiring oxygen therapy, treatment for aspiration pneumonia or mechanical ventilation.
After assessing your pet, our veterinary team will explain the recommended treatment, expected costs and any decisions that may need to be made. If your pet's condition changes and additional treatment is recommended, we'll keep you informed and discuss the options with you wherever possible.
We understand that these can be difficult decisions. Our role is to give you clear and honest information so we can make decisions about your pet's care together.
Recovery at Home After Tick Paralysis
Going home is an important milestone, but your pet may still need time, rest and careful monitoring as they recover from tick paralysis.
Before discharge, our team will provide you with a recovery plan tailored to your pet, including guidance on feeding, activity, medications and any follow-up care they may need.
At home, this may include:
- Keeping your pet calm and restricting strenuous activity while they regain their strength
- Following the feeding and drinking instructions provided by your veterinarian, particularly if your pet has experienced swallowing difficulties or regurgitation
- Giving any medications exactly as directed
- Continuing year-round tick prevention and regular tick searches
- Watching closely for any return or worsening of symptoms
When should I contact the vet after discharge?
Please contact us promptly if you notice increasing weakness, wobbliness, vomiting or regurgitation, gagging, coughing, difficulty swallowing, unusual lethargy or any change in your pet's breathing.
Difficulty breathing, collapse or rapid deterioration requires emergency veterinary attention.
Recovery is different for every patient. Some pets regain their strength relatively quickly, while more severely affected pets or those who have developed complications may take longer.
If you're worried about your pet after they go home, please call us. You don't need to wait until you're certain something is wrong — we'd much rather you check in with us.
Preventing Tick Paralysis
Prevention is the best protection against tick paralysis. On Sydney's Northern Beaches, paralysis ticks can be encountered throughout the year, so we recommend year-round tick prevention together with regular tick searching for dogs and cats.
There are several effective tick prevention options available, and the right choice depends on your pet, their lifestyle and the other parasite protection they require.
For dogs, options include monthly or longer-acting preventatives, as well as a once-yearly tick prevention injection. For cats, effective topical tick preventatives are available.
Our team can help you choose a prevention plan that's appropriate for your pet and make sure you know when their next treatment is due.
No tick preventative should replace physically checking your pet. Regular tick searches are particularly important on the Northern Beaches, and we recommend checking your pet every day.
How to Search Your Pet for Ticks
Use your fingertips rather than relying on your eyes alone. Slowly work your fingers through the coat and over the skin, feeling for any small lumps or attached ticks.
Search your pet systematically from nose to tail, paying particular attention to:
- Around the eyes
- In and around the ears
- Around the lips, gums and mouth
- Under the chin and around the neck
- Under collars and harnesses
- Chest and abdomen
- Armpits and groin
- Between the toes and around the paw pads
- Around the vulva or prepuce
- Around the anus and perineum
- Along the legs
- Around the tail and tail tip
Ticks can attach anywhere on the body. Finding one tick doesn't mean there isn't another, so always complete the entire search.
If you're unsure whether your dog or cat's tick prevention is up to date, call Allambie Vet on (02) 9905 0505. We can check their prevention history and help you choose an option that works for your pet and your family.
Can My Dog or Cat Still Get a Paralysis Tick While on Tick Prevention?
Yes. Effective tick prevention significantly reduces the risk of tick paralysis, but we still recommend regularly checking your pet for ticks, even when their prevention is up to date.
Make sure your pet's prevention is given or applied on schedule and continue regular nose-to-tail tick searches.
If you're unsure whether your pet's tick prevention is up to date, contact Allambie Vet. We can check their prevention history and help you choose an appropriate year-round tick prevention plan.
