Tick Paralysis – Solutions

In standard terms, this is not a paralysis of ticks, but rather a paralysis which ticks can cause mammals such as dogs to contract, because ticks secret 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. Not all breeds of dogs will be affected by tick bites, wherein many many only experience some loss of movement in their hind limbs.

Since the side effects can vary, some mammals can easily fall into a critical state as their muscles become unable to move, especially their respiratory muscles, therefore making it difficult for the animal to breathe.

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 how you effectively get rid of the affects of a tick bite.

Warning Signs

Usually the signs will start 5-7 days after the tick has actually bit your dog, but it will usually take a few tick bites simultaneously in order for paralysis to actually begin occurring. Another issue with ticks, is that they can easily hide underneath your dogs fur, and are not easily detected, which is why you should always look for the symptoms, such as weakness and poor coordination in their hind legs. Dogs can also exhibit difficulty when swallowing, breathing, and chewing, but there will be no signs of a fever or regular illness symptoms aside from these.

Whenever you notice your dog struggle with mobility, you should always take note if any of his/her symptoms relate to the above, so that way you can get your dog treatment immediately if they are in fact infected.

Diagnosing for Paralysis

Normally, tick paralysis is diagnosed based on the onset of paralysis itself, and of course 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. Since the diagnosis relies a lot on the early signs of paralysis, you should also regularly check your dog for ticks, especially if you notice his/her behavior change, or if you are often outdoors in regions where there are ticks.

Treating Tick Paralysis

The cure for the problem is simple, as all you have to do is remove and and all ticks on your dog. This may be difficult if your dog often has a lot of fur, which means you may have to literally shave your dog to find the tick(s), before they cause serious damage to your dog.

Your dog may require more supportive care, such as artificial respiration, once the ticks are out, depending on how much damage was done. There is also an antitoxin available to be given to your dog, and it can be procured quickly.

Here’s a website that will talk about Tick Paralysis