Paralysis Tick
We strongly recommend the use of a program to prevent tick attachment for pets entering tick areas. Ticks are arachnids (eight legs), with small heads and large, round bodies. Of the many species in Australia, only one is of major concern to dog owners. This tick, Ixodes holocyclus, the Paralysis Tick, kills hundreds of dogs, and other species (cats, calves, some native animals), every year.
Tick areas
The Paralysis Tick only occurs naturally in a band 10-20 kilometres wide along the eastern seaboard of Australia, although cases have occurred in dogs which have not left Canberra. So, while the major risk is for pets who travel to the coast with their owners, care should be taken with animals in Canberra if a human has visited a potential tick area. This may include neighbours and friends.
Clinical signs:
The earliest signs develop about four days after tick attachment, and signs progress rapidly (walking to paralysed in 24 hours, dead in 2-3 days). It is important to note that although tick attachment usually occurs while the pet is within the tick area, the ticks can live in the environment for days and so attachment can happen days after returning home. While treatment is available, it is involved, expensive, and by no means guaranteed to save the pet. Preventing ticks from attaching in the first place saves pets’ lives.
Prevention
Preventing tick attachment and paralysis depends on two things: · Using an appropriate insecticide · Examining the dog every day for ticks while at the coast, and for 3-7 days after your return.
We recommend either Frontline Spray, Advantix Spot on or Proban for Tick prevention. Proban is an organo-phosphate, given by mouth in tablet or liquid form. Correct dosage (1 tablet per 10 kg, don’t underdose) is important. Dose 
every second day. Start 7 days before travelling to the coast, while there, and for 7 days after your return. Frontline is one of a new class of insecticides, is non-toxic and longer lasting. The spray form provides three weeks freedom from ticks (and 12 weeks for fleas), and resists rain, swimming and bathing. While a “Spot-On” form of Frontline is available, it appears to be less reliable and we do not recommend it for Tick prevention. Treat 2 days before leaving for the coast, and do not wash dogs two days before or after application. Advantix is a “Spot-On” 
treatment that works by repelling and/or killing ticks (including the paralysis tick), fleas, lice and mosquitos. It must be used fortnightly to prevent paralysis tick infestation and resists rain, swimming and bathing.
Searching daily provides at least four chances to find ticks before problems develop. Search with your fingers. Remove collars etc, and cover every centimetre of the body, including all the nooks and crannies. If you find a tick (slatey grey, flat to 4mm thick, 3- 8 mm long, attached to the dog at one end), it should be removed as soon as possible. A Tick Hook (available from the Hospital) is easiest, but tweezers or levering it out with the open blades of scissors also works well. Avoid handling the tick with your fingers - some ticks carry blood borne diseases
Watch carefully for any signs of tick poisoning (funny bark, vomiting, wobbly legs), and report them to a vet as soon as possible. Avoid heat and excitement. Remember, dogs can be dead in a couple of days.
