In standard terms, this is not a paralysis of ticks, but rather a paralysis which ticks can cause mammals such as dogs to contract, because ticks secret a toxin which affects the nervous system of mammals. When a tick bites, the results can be a flaccid paralysis, which ends up leaving your pooch feeling weak, with little to no muscular tone. 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. Thus, it is extremely critical that you are able to spot and recognize the issue immediately so that your pet’s problem can be cured and the tick(s) removed.
Read on to find out more about tick paralysis.
Symptoms and Signs
The normal time for symptoms to being showing is anywhere from five to seven days, but keep in mind that one tick bite can take a lot longer to show, as multiple tick bites will show paralysis sooner. 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. Dogs can also exhibit difficulty when swallowing, breathing, and chewing, but there will be no signs of a fever or regular illness symptoms aside from these.
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 for Paralysis
Normally, tick paralysis is diagnosed based on the onset of paralysis itself, and of course 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. Since the diagnosis relies a lot on the early signs of paralysis, you should also regularly check your dog for ticks, especially if you notice his/her behavior change, or if you are often outdoors in regions where there are ticks.
Cures for Tick Paralysis
There is a simple treatment for the issue, and that consists of removing any and all ticks. You may have a hard time finding all of the ticks, or the tick, if your dog has a lot of fur, because ticks normally burrow into the skin, which means you may have to shave your dog for the time being, before they cause serious harm to your pooch.
Upon removal of any and all ticks, your dog may require future care from a veterinarian or may require some supportive care, such as artificial respiration.
There is also an antitoxin available to be given to your dog, and it can be procured quickly.