subject: Tick Paralysis In Dogs - An Introduction [print this page] Simply put, tick paralysis is a paralysis in animals caused by a tick, especially certain female tick breeds, which secrete 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. It can vary depending on what kind of dog you have, as not all dogs or mammals are affected by ticks, and even some animals only have their hind limbs affected.
However, while some animals are not quite as affected by tick bites as others, some pets may fall into an extremely critical condition which can ascend up the entire body and affect their respiratory system and front limbs. Therefore, you should always know how to distinguish the signs of paralysis caused by ticks, so that you can get the symptoms under control and remove the ticks before things turn worse.
Read on to find out how you effectively get rid of the affects of a tick bite.
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. You may notice that your dog suddenly seems weaker and has poor coordination with his/her hind legs, which are the very first clues that your dog has been bit by a tick. Your dog may also exhibit difficulty in chewing, breathing, and swallowing, and there will also not be any signs of a fever.
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 the issue
Most often, paralysis is diagnosed based on the symptoms, and also if your dog has 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. Of course, easy diagnosis also comes from the signs of paralysis, but you should regularly check your dog for ticks, if his/her behavior becomes strange, especially if you are often in regions which have ticks.
Treatment for Tick Paralysis
Since the ticks can be removed, all you have to do is find them. Ticks may not be the easiest to locate when your dog has tons of fur, which is why you may opt to shaving your dog, so that you can more easily locate it/them, before they cause your dog more harm.
Your dog may require more supportive care, such as artificial respiration, once the ticks are out, depending on how much damage was done. You may also want to consider an antitoxin to be administered to your dog, so that your dog can cure faster.
