pennyw74 Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 At puppy school, we were warned of the dangers of the paralysis tick. It was drilled into us how bad it can be and it's quite frightening. I live in Sydney and he suggested some suburbs that have a lot of ticks, more along the northern beaches area and surrounds. My question is, should I treat my puppy for ticks with Advantix or something similar just in case or not worry and just check her? I never want to get to the stage of finding her wobbling around on her back legs. What is the best tick treatment out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucknow Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 I live in a non tick area but always treat if we are going to be anywhere NEAR a tick area. Ticks can travel on animals, camping gear, in clothing etc. It is just not worth the risk. I would also recommend you do daily tick checks as well as chemical treatment taking notice of other lumps and bumps also - it can alert you to problems earlier if you are really familiar with his peculiarities. Also make yourself familiar with the early symptoms of tick toxicity such as change in voice, vomiting, weakness or sitting often. I use Frontline only because it was the first product I was familiar with, I believe Advantix is very popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gomez the Norfolk Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Our vet has had cases of paralysis ticks in the CBD - they are everywhere and can be carried everywhere by other dogs, humans, etc... I treat Gomez with Advantix every two weeks and do thorough checks twice a day I would not take the chance. At all. Did he also mention all the other symptoms to look out for? The hoarse barking etc...?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddii Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 I treat for paralysis tick with Pro-ban. Advocate does the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pennyw74 Posted March 7, 2008 Author Share Posted March 7, 2008 Did he also mention all the other symptoms to look out for? The hoarse barking etc...?? He did mention other symptoms but said that being unsteady on her back legs happens after a couple of days of the tick attaching itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucknow Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Did he also mention all the other symptoms to look out for? The hoarse barking etc...?? He did mention other symptoms but said that being unsteady on her back legs happens after a couple of days of the tick attaching itself. Familiarise yourself with EARLY symptoms and do regular body checks (I do daily but as I said I am not in a tick area, those that are seem to do twice daily...)Good luck, hope you never get one, I have cared for too many that did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gomez the Norfolk Posted March 7, 2008 Share Posted March 7, 2008 Did he also mention all the other symptoms to look out for? The hoarse barking etc...?? He did mention other symptoms but said that being unsteady on her back legs happens after a couple of days of the tick attaching itself. Familiarise yourself with EARLY symptoms and do regular body checks (I do daily but as I said I am not in a tick area, those that are seem to do twice daily...)Good luck, hope you never get one, I have cared for too many that did Exactly - you should try to avoid getting to the wobbly stage! By the time they are wobbly it could be too late for them You want to get that tick as soon as possible after it attaches itself, not let it feed for a couple of days. This is why we check twice daily - and use Advantix, frontline, etc etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttaburra Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Check with your local Vet regarding the occurrence of Paralysis Ticks in your district. Paralysis ticks are a major problem especially along the eastern coast of Australia. They cause severe cardiac, respiratory and muscle weakness, eventually killing their prey within days of attachment. Every year dogs (& other animals) die from Paralysis Tick poisoning. A range of products are available to repel them. Preventatic or Killtix collars are effective. Topical spot applications like Advantix are good too, some can be used in combination e.g. collar and spot treatment. Your Vet should be able to advise you of products can be used safely together. The effectiveness of any preventative treatment varies from dog to dog depending on texture and type of coat, body mass etc. The appearance of the Paralysis tick can vary depending on the stage of the insects life cycle and gender. A daily inspection of your dog from head to toe, between toes, under tail, "armpits", ears, gums, neck ruff, and all over every part of the body is necessary even if collars or spot treatments are used. Always be vigilant for the following symptoms - the earliest signs often suggest that your pet has something caught in its throat or the back legs are not working properly. Other commonly noticed changes are vomiting, heavy breathing with a grunt and alteration to your pet's vocal sounds. While signs vary with the individual the usual course is a progressive paralysis with subsequent loss of use of back and front legs. Some animals may become distressed, anxious and confused. Eventually there is an inability to breathe in enough oxygen as the lungs develop congestion and chest muscles become paralysed. When animals are fully paralysed, the chances of saving them are greatly reduced. The live tick should be quickly pulled out of the skin using a fine pair of forceps or a tick remover, avoid squeezing the ticks body. Keep searching for other ticks since there may be more than one. Keep dog cool and calm. After tick removal take dog immediately to the vet. The Vet can administer anti-serum and other treatments and the dog may be saved if treated early enough. Never leave your dog untreated from tick paralysis, it is a very painful neurotoxin and your dog will be suffering. More About the Parlaysis Tick www.tickalert.org.au/ixholdet.htm /medent.usyd.edu.au/fact/ticks.htm For information on other parasites vwhumane.com ================================== Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pennyw74 Posted March 8, 2008 Author Share Posted March 8, 2008 Thank you to everyone who replied here. I will check with my vet in a couple of weeks when we go back for her 16 week vaccination to see what he recommends. We do spend a lot of time with our puppy and I'm always checking her skin for anything unusual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonniebank Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 I'm in a tick area and have tried just about everything. Frontline (and Frontline Plus) is no longer working according to some vets I've spoken with and proven when I almost lost one of my dogs to tick paralysis. She was regularly being Frontlined every fortnight (recommended for tick control) and had actually had it applied only 2 days before she came down with the paralysis. I now use Proban tablets at the recommended dose for ticks (alternate days). I hate shoving anything down my dogs throats that isn't necessary but have no choice. I go over all my Shelties and Collies EVERY day but it is so easy to miss one of the little suckers. For instance, a tick can be down the ear canal where you can't see or feel it. A friend of mine lost a Collie that way. I have serious concerns about a major increase in ticks where I live but I'll start another thread called 'Ticks - Sutherland Shire' rather than hi-jack this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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