Tick Paralysis Symptoms in Dogs

Tick paralysis in dogs is caused due to biting of certain type of poisonous female ticks. Female ticks of the species D. andersoni, Ixodes holocyclus and Dermacentor variabilis secrete toxic fluid called neurotoxin. There are almost 40 species of tick that can cause tick paralysis in dogs. The saliva of these ticks contain neurotoxins which can cause muscle weakness in dogs.

Dermacentor variabilis is a type of ticks found in America, while Ixodes holocyclus is a tick of Australian origin. Neurotoxin directly affects the nervous system of the dog and cause paralysis. Before learning about the symptoms, let us go through the causes of tick paralysis.

Causes of Tick Paralysis

Ticks are present in bushes, trees, shrubs, etc or animals who live in such bushland areas. These ticks can also infect your dog through hosts like birds, reptiles, other dog, etc. Thus, whenever your dog has been in such environment for a longer period of time, it is better that you examine the dog skin for presence of any tick. Ticks can be found in almost all parts of the world and all the year round. The specific seasons when ticks are present in large amount, is the period between spring and late autumn. When the dog comes in contact with such poisonous female tick, the tick adheres to the dog skin and sucks blood through dog's skin. Thus, the tick feeds on the dog's blood. This tick produces neurotoxin in its salivary gland which is then passed to the bloodstream of the dog. Neurotoxin affects the nervous system of the dog, by blocking the nerve function associated to the muscles.

Symptoms of Tick Paralysis in Dogs

The neurotoxin affects the nervous system in a gradual manner thus, the symptoms can also be noticed in a progressive pattern. But this progression may not be observed in all the dog breeds. Sometimes, the dog may show the symptoms of last stage, soon after few days of tick bite. So, if you are living in tick prone areas, better watch out for ticks on daily basis. The symptoms of tick paralysis in dogs can be divided into three phases, they are, initial stage, later stage and last stage.

Initial Stage

• Sudden change in the bark, it may become soft with low pitch.
• Frequent vomiting.
• Hind legs may become weak, dog may find it difficult to walk.
• The dog may sit suddenly while walking.

Later Stage

• Shakiness or wobbling of the hind legs.
• Drooling, excess vomiting and salivation.
• Loud breathing, panting excessively, making grunting noises.
• Dogs with small nose can exhibit signs of breathing or respiratory problems.

Last Stage

• With gradual poisoning, the dog finds it very difficult to stand.
• Breathing problem becomes worse.
• Due to worsened breathing problem, the gums turn blue and cold.
• The dog may eventually die.

The symptoms can be noticed after five days of tick bite. Pet owners, who live in bushy areas should always monitor their dogs' health for preventing tick paralysis. Dog tick removal is an easy job, that requires few steps. The tick can cause paralysis, when it has stayed on the dog's body for more than two days. Thus, dog owners living in such areas should check the dog's skin on daily basis and remove ticks, if any.

Prevention is the best method to get rid of tick paralysis in dogs. But when you observe any of the tick paralysis symptoms mentioned above, you should consult a veterinarian at the earliest. The veterinarian will prescribe certain anti-toxins that can help to recover the dog health. Certain tick repellent lotions are available in market that can help in avoiding tick bites. So, use one such repellent recommended by a veterinarian.