The warm weather is sticking around, and many of our clients are heading to the coast with their dogs — and even some cats! While holidays are a wonderful chance to relax, it’s important to remember that paralysis ticks don’t take a break. These ticks are found along the east coast of Australia, from North Queensland all the way down to Victoria. For those of us in Canberra, the south coast is a popular holiday destination and is known to have a high tick risk.

No matter what time of year, how long your trip is, or where you’re going — even short visits or towns and beaches that don’t look “bushy” — it’s essential to use paralysis tick prevention. There are several effective and relatively cost-efficient oral products now available that kill paralysis ticks quickly. Signs of tick envenomation usually appear 7 to 14 days after a trip and can include hindlimb weakness, vomiting, hacking, and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately, dogs are still lost to ticks every year. Treatment can be tricky and often requires extended hospitalization and intensive care, making prevention the safest and easiest approach.

Cats are also at risk. Even indoor cats can pick up ticks if they are carried inside on clothing or belongings. Signs in cats tend to be more respiratory, such as difficulty breathing or change in meow, but they can still show hindlimb weakness. Treatment is even more challenging than for dogs. Until recently, there were few effective products for cats, but there are now a number of highly effective options available so no excuse to not use prevention!

If you’re heading down the coast and need tick prevention for your pets, or if you’re unsure which product is best, please don’t hesitate to call or drop in. Our team is always happy to talk through the options and help keep your furry friends safe, so you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.