Which ticks cause paralysis

Ticks that cause tick paralysis are found in almost every region of the world. The five North American species of ticks thought to cause tick paralysis are widely distributed throughout the United States; therefore, the potential for contact with such ticks exists in every state.

Symptoms of tick paralysis generally begin from five to seven days after a tick becomes attached usually on the scalp , beginning with fatigue, numbness of the legs and muscle pains. Paralysis rapidly develops from the lower to the upper extremities and, if the tick is not removed, is followed by tongue and facial paralysis.

Because of the inability of laboratory tests to indicate tick paralysis, diagnosis is based on symptoms and the rapid improvement of the patient once the engorged tick is removed. Treatment involves simply removing the feeding tick s.

At first the animal may appear weak or unsteady because their rear limbs are weakened. The symptoms quickly progress to paralysis inability to move and the involvement spreads to the trunk, upper extremities, and head. Animals can die of respiratory arrest if the diaphragm becomes involved. Diagnosis of tick paralysis The diagnosis of tick paralysis is made if the animal shows the symptoms and an attached tick is found.

Treatment of tick paralysis Since the paralysis is caused by the release of the neurotoxin from the tick, the primary treatment is to promptly remove the tick. Removal can be done mechanically by pulling off the tick with forceps or using a topical insecticide to kill the tick.

Once the tick is removed most animals begin to recover their muscle strength within hours—followed by complete resolution within 3 days. If an animal is suffering from respiratory distress, supportive measures such as supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation are necessary until the effects of the neurotoxin fades. Prevention of tick paralysis While it's rare, tick paralysis can be a deadly condition. The best way to prevent tick paralysis is to take preventative actions.

If you live in an endemic area for ticks, be sure your pet is on tick preventatives. Check your pet for ticks on a daily basis, and especially after hiking in wooded areas or heavily infested areas. They feed for days, before falling off the host and undergoing a moult to become nymphs. Nymphs have 8 legs.

Upon moulting they will have a second blood meal on a second host. We see this stage of the life cycle from March to August.

Nymphs can cause paralysis if a large number is present on a single host. Upon moulting, adult paralysis ticks will find a host. Female ticks require a host for a blood meal, whereby a male tick uses the host to find a female tick in order to mate and feed from her. Males pierce the cuticle with their mouth parts and feed on the haemolymph of the female.

The female ticks then fall off and lay eggs to complete the life cycle. Bandicoots, possums and echidnas are the most common hosts which transmit paralysis ticks. Due to continuous exposure to the toxin, they have built up resistance over time and are usually immune to its effects. There are at least 73 species of ticks in Australia and adult paralysis ticks can be difficult to identify.

Body colour can be affected by feeding so is not reliable to use to accurately identify different species of ticks. Adult females have exceptionally long mouthparts, different coloured first and last set of legs darker and no coloured markings on the dorsal shield.

Male ticks have much shorter mouth parts. The most reliable ways to locate a tick is to run your fingers through the coat with enough pressure to feel for any lumps or abnormalities.

Check in the beard, ears, wound the eyes, between toes and around the anal area. Stay calm! This is the most important thing you can do for your pet, as affected animals cope poorly with stress or overheating.

Contact us immediately and arrange to bring your pet in. Do not wait until the next morning. Remove any visible ticks with a hook or tweezers and search for more ticks if one is discovered and try to keep your pet relaxed, quiet and cool. The toxins mean your pet cannot protect their airway when they swallow and the food or water may run straight into their lungs.

It is important to seek emergency care even if you remove the offending tick s. The toxin typically continues to poison your dog or cat and timely treatment is still required. The paralysis tick injects a toxin into its host as it feeds. This is concerning as these are most active in late spring and early summer. Tick paralysis or poisoning is a very serious and potentially fatal condition that requires urgent veterinary attention.

The best way of preventing paralysis is to avoid areas with ticks. Cats ordinarily show more resistance to this poison than dogs, but if affected the signs are similar. Increased body temperature due to exercise or weather will exacerbate symptoms. Clinical signs are usually seen within days of attachment. Progression of these signs are rapid of 24 to 48 hours.

If left to run its course, this paralysis goes through three stages as seen in the table below.