A SPIKE in early spring temperatures has sparked an early start to the tick season.
RSPCA senior veterinarian Anne Chester said all pet owners should check pets thoroughly for any signs of ticks, with her organisation and private veternarians seeing a stream of animals with tick paralysis.
“Our main concern is the paralysis tick,” she said.
“All pet owners should seek advice from their vet on the best form of tick prevention.
“There are several alternatives including washes, collars, sprays, spot-ons and tablets.
“The paralysis tick can act very quickly indeed and can cause severe impairment or worse. It’s a killer.”
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said his dog Hooper picked up a tick despite wearing a tick collar.
“You really do need to check for ticks daily, even if they are taking tick preventives,” he said.
Dr Chester said people needed to be aware of early symptoms of tick paralysis.
This included an unsteady, staggering gait, a dry cough and even just a change in the animal’s bark or meow could mean they had been infected.
“They should seek veterinary attention immediately,” she said.
“The sooner the antiserum is administered the less chance there is of the tick poisoning being lethal.
“Prompt action can and will save lives.”
