2025 Update – Vets Warn of a Rise in Tick Risk: Protect Your Pets Now

With southeast Queensland facing its worst paralysis tick season in nearly a decade, veterinarians and Jordan Dog Training are urging pet owners to stay alert and take preventive measures to protect their pets. The recent combination of high humidity and warm temperatures has created ideal conditions for ticks to thrive, turning even suburban areas into hotspots for these dangerous parasites.

Why Ticks Are a Threat—Even in Suburbia

You don’t need to live in the bush for ticks to pose a danger. Many suburban backyards are prime habitats for paralysis ticks, thanks to visits from wildlife such as possums, scrub turkeys, bandicoots, and blue-tongue lizards. These animals can carry ticks into your yard, where they can latch onto your pets.

Ticks aren’t just a nuisance; they are potentially fatal. Paralysis ticks inject a toxin that can cause progressive paralysis, respiratory distress, and even death if untreated. Unfortunately, the risk is growing, with Petbarn’s PetWatch classifying nearly every suburb in southeast Queensland as under “extreme” risk.

What Does a Tick Look Like?

Ticks may be small, but they’re highly dangerous. Paralysis ticks are typically grey, light brown, or bluish in colour and range from the size of a pinhead to a small pea when fully engorged. Because of their small size, they can be easy to miss, so regular checks are crucial.

Signs of Tick Paralysis to Watch For

Early detection is critical. If your pet displays any of the following symptoms, seek veterinary attention immediately:

  • Weakness, especially in the hind legs
  • Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or excessive panting
  • Vomiting or gagging
  • Change in voice (barking or meowing may sound different)
  • Loss of coordination, wobbliness, or inability to stand
  • Excessive drooling or lethargy
  • Paralysis or collapse in severe cases

These symptoms can develop over several hours or days after a tick bite, so it’s essential to remain vigilant, even if your pet appears well initially.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

If you find a tick on your pet:

  • Act immediately. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull upwards with steady, even pressure.
  • Avoid twisting or squeezing the tick’s body, as this can release more toxins into your pet’s bloodstream.
  • Save the tick in a sealed bag or container for identification by your vet.
  • Seek veterinary attention immediately. Even if you successfully remove the tick, symptoms of paralysis can still develop after its removal.

Preventing Tick Bites: Key Tips

Prevention is always better than cure. Protect your pet by taking the following steps:

Tick Prevention Treatments: Use vet-recommended products like tick collars, spot-on treatments, or oral chews. Discuss the best options with your vet to ensure they’re suitable for your pet.

Daily Checks: Inspect your pet’s body every day, especially if they’ve been outdoors. Focus on areas like around the ears, under the collar, between the toes, in the groin area, and under the tail.

Keep Your Yard Tidy: Trim overgrown vegetation, mow your lawn regularly, and remove leaf litter and debris where ticks may hide.

Avoid High-Risk Areas: During peak tick season, avoid walking your dog in bushland or long grass, especially in known tick hotspots.

Groom Regularly: Regular grooming not only keeps your pet looking good but also makes it easier to spot ticks.

At Jordan Dog Training, we encourage all pet owners to be proactive about their pet’s health and well-being, which includes staying on top of tick prevention.

Why Consult Your Vet?

Every pet is different, and so is their risk level. Jordan Dog Training recommends consulting your veterinarian for tailored advice on the best tick prevention products and strategies for your pet’s lifestyle. Your vet can also educate you on how to remove ticks safely and recognise the early signs of tick paralysis.

Don’t Delay: Ticks Can Be Deadly

Paralysis ticks are a life-threatening risk to pets, and the key to saving your pet’s life is prevention and quick action. If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a tick or notice any signs of tick paralysis, don’t wait—contact your vet immediately

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Justin Jordan Trainer

Justin Jordan

Master Trainer

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