Train That Dog!

The disease does not affect the ticks but affects other mammals like dogs due to the toxin secreted by the ticks. This toxin is released into the blood stream of the dog when the tick bites causing muscular weakness.

It is not as if all dogs or mammals are affected by this toxin from ticks, only some dogs are actually affected and some only suffer from paralysis of their hind limbs. Since the side effects can vary, some mammals can easily fall into a critical state as their muscles become unable to move, especially their respiratory muscles, therefore making it difficult for the animal to breathe.

By knowing about the different kind of paralysis that is caused by the ticks in different mammals, you can prevent things from becoming worse by quickly taking out the ticks and casting them away.

Read on to discover how you can easily prevent a deadly situation for your pooch…

Indications of Tick Paralysis

You will start noticing signs of paralysis only after 5 to 7 days after your dog has been bitten by ticks and it usually takes quite a few bites delivered at a time for paralysis to take place. 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 pet dog may also show difficulty in breathing, chewing or even swallowing, though he may not have any fever or other symptoms. It is very important for you to recognise these signs immediately as otherwise there can be respiratory failure leading to death of your pooch.

Analysis

Most often, paralysis is diagnosed based on the symptoms, and also if your dog has a rapidly worsening condition. It also can depend on the seasons of the year, but rapid recovery occurs the instance that the ticks are removed.

Constantly checking whether your pet has any ticks on specific regions of the body is a good way of being careful, even though you may feel that you will be able to detect any symptoms of paralysis from his behavior.

Treatments

The most practical way is to remove all the ticks.

Picking up all the ticks on the pet’s body may be fraught with difficulty especially if your pet is very hairy and in that case you may need to shave your pet to ensure all ticks are effectively removed.

Once the tick is removed, most dogs will quickly recover, but if your dog is severely affective, then he/she may require supportive care from a veterinarian, or artificial respiration may be required.

The injection of an antitoxin is another remedy for quick recovery.