Tick Paralysis In Dogs
Posted 28-10-2009 at 11:13 PM by maxking23
Simply put, tick paralysis is a paralysis in animals caused by a tick, especially certain female tick breeds, which secrete a toxin which affects the nervous system of mammals. What happens, is that a tick bite can produce a flaccid paralysis, which leaves your dog with no muscular tone, feeling weak. Some mammers are not affected by tick bites, such as cats, as they seem to be immune to it, and likewise, not all breeds of dogs are effected, and even some animals only experience some side effects in their hind limbs.
However, while some animals are not quite as affected by tick bites as others, some pets may fall into an extremely critical condition which can ascend up the entire body and affect their respiratory system and front limbs. Thus, it is extremely critical that you are able to spot and recognize the issue immediately so that your pet's problem can be cured and the tick(s) removed.
Read on to find out more about tick paralysis.
Warning Signs
Unfortunately, the signs usually start about five to seven days after the tick has started feeding, but the good thing is that it will usually take multiple ticks feeding at the same time to elicit the paralysis. You may notice that your dog suddenly seems weaker and has poor coordination with his/her hind legs, which are the very first clues that your dog has been bit by a tick. Your dog will not have a fever or other regular illness symptoms, but you may also notice that he/she will have difficulty chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
Death can occur within hours from respiratory failure, because the muscles in the chest become paralyzed, which is why you must always check for these signs when you notice that your dog seems less mobile.
Diagnosis
Most often, paralysis is diagnosed based on the symptoms, and also if your dog has a rapidly worsening condition.
Being able to diagnose your dog can also depend on the time of year, and where you live, as ticks are more predominant during certain seasons, but regardless of what season it is, a small tick can still infect your dog, which is why you should get the tick(s) removed. Of course, easy diagnosis also comes from the signs of paralysis, but you should regularly check your dog for ticks, if his/her behavior becomes strange, especially if you are often in regions which have ticks.
Cures for Tick Paralysis
The cure for the problem is simple, as all you have to do is remove and and all ticks on your dog. You may have a hard time finding all of the ticks, or the tick, if your dog has a lot of fur, because ticks normally burrow into the skin, which means you may have to shave your dog for the time being, before they cause serious harm to your pooch.
Upon removal of any and all ticks, your dog may require future care from a veterinarian or may require some supportive care, such as artificial respiration.
There is also an antitoxin available to be given to your dog, and it can be procured quickly.
However, while some animals are not quite as affected by tick bites as others, some pets may fall into an extremely critical condition which can ascend up the entire body and affect their respiratory system and front limbs. Thus, it is extremely critical that you are able to spot and recognize the issue immediately so that your pet's problem can be cured and the tick(s) removed.
Read on to find out more about tick paralysis.
Warning Signs
Unfortunately, the signs usually start about five to seven days after the tick has started feeding, but the good thing is that it will usually take multiple ticks feeding at the same time to elicit the paralysis. You may notice that your dog suddenly seems weaker and has poor coordination with his/her hind legs, which are the very first clues that your dog has been bit by a tick. Your dog will not have a fever or other regular illness symptoms, but you may also notice that he/she will have difficulty chewing, swallowing, and breathing.
Death can occur within hours from respiratory failure, because the muscles in the chest become paralyzed, which is why you must always check for these signs when you notice that your dog seems less mobile.
Diagnosis
Most often, paralysis is diagnosed based on the symptoms, and also if your dog has a rapidly worsening condition.
Being able to diagnose your dog can also depend on the time of year, and where you live, as ticks are more predominant during certain seasons, but regardless of what season it is, a small tick can still infect your dog, which is why you should get the tick(s) removed. Of course, easy diagnosis also comes from the signs of paralysis, but you should regularly check your dog for ticks, if his/her behavior becomes strange, especially if you are often in regions which have ticks.
Cures for Tick Paralysis
The cure for the problem is simple, as all you have to do is remove and and all ticks on your dog. You may have a hard time finding all of the ticks, or the tick, if your dog has a lot of fur, because ticks normally burrow into the skin, which means you may have to shave your dog for the time being, before they cause serious harm to your pooch.
Upon removal of any and all ticks, your dog may require future care from a veterinarian or may require some supportive care, such as artificial respiration.
There is also an antitoxin available to be given to your dog, and it can be procured quickly.
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