Warm weather and an extended wet season has stirred up pest activity in Tamborine Mountain with experts warning pet owners ticks are making the most of perfect breeding conditions.
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Moderately engorged Ixodes holocyclus attached to a dog (severely paralysed). Whilst reactive swelling around the tick can make it appear as though it is penetrating deeper, only the mouthparts penetrate the epidermis of the skin. Even when the tick has fallen off or removed there is usually a readily palpable skin lump remaining for days to weeks.PHOTO/Wikipedia |
Leading Queensland animal hospital, BVSC, said pet owners are facing one of the worst tick seasons on record.
Founder of BVSC animal hospital and leading veterinary specialist, Dr Rod Straw, said the tick season started early and has been widespread.
“More than two hundred pets affected by the parasite have been admitted to BVSC since the beginning of September, up more than twenty percent from the same period last year.
“Traditionally peak tick season concludes in November, but conditions have been ideal for ticks this year and have fuelled an extreme tick season,” Dr Straw said.
“Currently we have nine animals being treated in hospital with at least five to ten cases coming in everyday.”
BVSC recently treated Jessie, a five-year-old golden retriever, who was admitted with two ticks.
“The retriever started to become affected by the poison as soon as it arrived at BVSC.
“Luckily Jessie’s owners had taken immediate action which allowed us to treat the animal successfully,” he said.
BVSC is appealing to pet owners in Tamborine Mountain to be aware of early symptoms of tick paralysis including an unsteady staggering walk, dry cough, loss of appetite, lameness, tiredness or even a change in the animal's bark or meow.
“Pet owners can ensure their pets receive early intervention by running their fingertips through their pet’s coat and feeling for ticks.
“It is important to check for ticks daily and after every walk as early detection can reduce the severity of a tick bite.
“Ticks will most often be found around the head, neck and ears but no area should go unsearched,” he said.
BVSC, located in Brisbane, is a state of the art, purpose built animal hospital providing 24 hour emergency care and in-house specialists in medicine, surgery and oncology. It is the only veterinary facility in Australia with high energy radiation therapy to treat pets with cancer.
For more information please visit www.bvsc.com.au.