buThe signs of tick poisoning

The paralysis tick injects a toxin into its host dog or cat as it feeds. Normally, cats show more resistance to this poison than dogs, but if affected the signs are similar for both. Increased body temperature due to either hot weather or exercise will exacerbate symptoms.

If left to run its course, a case of tick poisoning goes through three stages.

Early signs:

• A change in voice; the meow or bark becomes softer and/or changes pitch.
• Weakness in the back legs; walking along then sitting down suddenly is a common early sign.
• Vomiting, especially if it happens several times in a day and you see froth.

Later signs:

• Wobbliness in the back legs.
• Excessive salivation and vomiting is not uncommon.
• Panting, progressing to loud breathing, even grunting noises.
• Many dogs will exhibit a moist cough and breathing problems before other signs.

Worsening signs:

• As signs of poisoning progress, the animals become unable to stand.
• Breathing becomes exaggerated and difficult.
• As breathing becomes more difficult, the gums become cold and blue-tinged. Death follows quite quickly.

The residual effect

Even when you find a tick and remove it, your pet isn’t out of the woods. There’s a very good chance the tick could have left a residue of poison under the skin which will then be slowly absorbed. You should keep an eye on him or her for the next two to four days, keeping it cool and calm while avoiding excitement and exercise. Also, do not offer your pet either food or water because its ability to swallow may be impaired. If at any point the signs worsen, call us straightaway on 49228138.

Prevention

While new, improved products are appearing quite regularly, you should still search you pet(s) every night during the tick season.

DOGS

NexGard® This  beef-flavoured chewable provides excellent monthly control of both ticks and fleas. Safe from eight weeks of age (over 1.8kg) and kills ticks and fleas within hours of ingesting your dog’s blood.

NexGard SPECTRA® This  beef-flavoured chewable provides excellent monthly control of both ticks and fleas. Safe from eight weeks of age (over 2kg) and kills ticks and fleas within hours of ingesting your dog’s blood. SPECTRA also covers for heartworm, roundworm, hookworms and whipworms.

Bravecto. Comes in a range of treatments with chews and spot ons available.  Rapid onset of action kills newly emerged adult fleas before they lad eggs. Reduces incidence of flea allergy dermatitis but controlling fleas. The chews are highly palatable so easy to administer or the spot ons last for 6 months. Both the chew and the spot on can be used from 8 weeks of age and over 2kg.

Seresto collars. Treats and prevents flea infestations for up to 8 months and ticks for up to 4 months. Kills larval flea stages. Treatment and control of flea allergy dermatitis. Controls paralysis tick and bush tick. Kills brown dog tick. Treats lice.

CATS 

NexGard Spectra Spot On Monthly topical solution for cats and kittens (from 8 weeks). Kills flea, paralysis ticks, bush tck, heartworm, intestinal worms, mange and ear mites.

Revolution Plus Monthly topical solution for cats and kittens. Kills flea, paralysis ticks, heartworm, intestinal worms and ear mites.

Bravecto Plus spot-on treatment will guard your cat against fleas and paralysis ticks plus heartworm for 2 months and treat intestinal worms and ear mites – all in one dose.

Seresto Collars. This product is not actually registered for tick prevention in cats, but believe it gives reasonable protection for up to 4 months. Treats and prevents flea infestation for up to 8 months. Treatment and control of flea allergy dermatitis. Kills larval flea stages.

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