Paralysis ticks in dogs and cats: symptoms, treatment and prevention

Summary

What is tick paralysis?

Tick paralysis is a potentially fatal condition caused by neurotoxins in the saliva of certain ticks. In Australia, the main cause is the eastern paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus), while the southern paralysis tick (Ixodes cornuatus) can also cause paralysis in some southern regions.

As a paralysis tick feeds, it releases toxin into the animal. This interferes with communication between nerves and muscles and can cause progressive weakness and paralysis. It can also affect swallowing and breathing, making tick paralysis a veterinary emergency.

Adult female eastern paralysis ticks are responsible for most serious cases. Dogs and cats may be exposed when they spend time in tick habitat, including bushland, coastal vegetation, gardens and other areas where ticks and their wildlife hosts occur.

Clinical signs can worsen rapidly once they begin, so prompt veterinary assessment is important even if the tick has already been removed.

Pets are much more likely to pick up a paralysis tick if they are outdoor animals, interact with wildlife or have access to bushy or grassy areas. Not surprisingly, paralysis ticks are more likely to be found affixed to dogs than cats, but outdoor cats are also susceptible. There has been an increased number of these ticks in recent years.

Where are paralysis ticks found in Australia?

The eastern paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) occurs mainly in a relatively narrow coastal region along eastern Australia, extending from northern Queensland through New South Wales to eastern Victoria. The southern paralysis tick (Ixodes cornuatus) occurs in parts of Victoria, south-eastern New South Wales, the ACT and Tasmania.

Tick activity varies according to location and weather conditions. Although cases tend to peak during particular seasons in different regions, tick paralysis can occur at any time of year, particularly when conditions are warm and humid following rain. Pets living in or travelling to a paralysis tick area therefore need year-round protection.

Cost of tick paralysis in dogs and cats

According to PetSure claims data for 2025, the average treatment cost relating to tick paralysis was $3,484 for dogs, with the highest claim amount reaching $59,147. For cats, the average amount claimed was more than $2,660, with the highest claim reaching $30,479.

^ØBased on PetSure claims data, 2025 calendar year. Reimbursement for these claims under a pet insurance policy would be subject to limits, such as annual benefit limits or sub-limits, benefit percentage, applicable waiting periods and any applicable excess. Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or policy wording available from the relevant provider. Please note that values calculated are based on all claims for that condition and medically related conditions in each calendar year.

Tick paralysis affects thousands of pets in Australia each year, and as you can see from the figures above, treatment can be very costly. Bow Wow Meow’s Nose-to-Tail Cover includes treatment for Tick Paralysis with no sub-limits. Read more here.

Signs and symptoms of paralysis tick in dogs and cats

Paralysis ticks effectively poison your pet. Early signs of tick paralysis can be subtle and may worsen quickly. Symptoms can vary between animals, but warning signs include:

• a change in the sound or strength of the bark or meow
• weakness or wobbliness, particularly in the hind legs
• difficulty standing or walking
• vomiting or regurgitation
• reduced appetite
• gagging, coughing or difficulty swallowing
• excessive drooling
• unusual or laboured breathing
• increasing weakness that progresses towards paralysis

As the condition advances, a pet may become unable to stand and may develop severe respiratory difficulty. This is life-threatening.

Do not wait to see whether symptoms improve. If your dog or cat develops weakness, wobbliness, voice changes, breathing difficulties or other signs consistent with tick paralysis, particularly in a tick-prone area, seek veterinary attention immediately.

What should you do if you find a paralysis tick?

If you find an attached tick, remove it promptly using an appropriate tick-removal tool, taking care to pull steadily away from the skin. Then check your pet thoroughly for additional ticks and contact your veterinarian for advice.

Finding and removing the tick does not guarantee that your pet is out of danger. Signs of tick paralysis can still develop or worsen after the tick has been removed, so monitor closely and follow your vet’s instructions.

If your pet is weak, wobbly, vomiting or regurgitating, has a changed voice, is having difficulty breathing or is otherwise unwell, treat the situation as an emergency and go directly to a veterinarian.

How is tick paralysis diagnosed?

Tick paralysis is usually diagnosed from the pet’s clinical signs, possible exposure to paralysis ticks and a thorough physical examination and tick search. Finding a paralysis tick—or the small skin crater left where one was attached—can strongly support the diagnosis, but a tick is not always found.

Your vet will assess your pet’s muscle strength, ability to stand and walk, swallowing and breathing. Other conditions that can cause weakness or paralysis may also need to be ruled out.

Depending on the severity of the illness, additional tests may include blood tests and chest imaging, particularly if respiratory complications are suspected.

Treatment of tick paralysis in dogs and cats

Tick paralysis requires prompt veterinary treatment. The vet will perform a thorough search and remove any ticks that are found to stop further toxin being released.

Treatment commonly includes tick antiserum (TAS), which helps neutralise toxin that has not yet bound to the nerves. Because existing nerve effects do not disappear immediately, the pet may still require close monitoring and supportive care while recovering.

Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may also include sedation to reduce stress, intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy and intensive respiratory support. Severely affected animals may require mechanical ventilation.

Pets recovering from tick paralysis need careful veterinary monitoring because complications can involve breathing and swallowing, and clinical signs can worsen rapidly.

How to check your pet for paralysis ticks

Run your fingertips slowly over your pet’s entire body every day when you live in or visit a paralysis tick area. Feel for small bumps or attached ticks and part the coat wherever something feels unusual.

Pay particular attention to:

• the head, face and muzzle
• around and inside the ears
• the neck and beneath the collar
• under the chin
• between the toes
• the chest, abdomen and legs
• around the anus and genital area
• the tail

Recent Australian research found that the head, neck or ears were the attachment sites in 73% of affected dogs and 63% of affected cats. However, ticks can attach almost anywhere, so do not stop searching after checking the head and neck—or after finding one tick.

Year-round paralysis tick prevention

Dogs and cats living in or travelling to paralysis tick areas should receive reliable, year-round tick prevention. A range of veterinary tick-control products is available, with different durations of action and directions for use. Ask your veterinarian which product is appropriate for your pet and follow the label instructions carefully.

Never give a cat a tick or flea product intended only for dogs. Some dog parasite-control products contain ingredients that can cause severe toxicity in cats. Always use a product specifically labelled as suitable for your cat and follow the directions carefully. If you are unsure, ask your vet.

Preventative treatment should be combined with regular physical tick checks, particularly after time outdoors or in bushland and during periods of increased tick activity. Cases can occur outside the traditional spring and summer peak, so do not stop prevention during winter without veterinary advice.

Tick control and regular manual checking of the fur for ticks are essential to protect your pet from paralysis ticks. Bow Wow Meow’s Routine Care (non-insurance benefit) provides a contribution towards everyday items such as vaccinations and flea, tick and worm treatments.

Which pets are at risk of paralysis ticks?

Any dog or cat can develop tick paralysis. Risk is primarily related to exposure to paralysis ticks rather than belonging to a particular breed.

Pets living in or visiting endemic areas are at greater risk, particularly when they spend time outdoors around vegetation or wildlife habitat. Regular prevention and careful tick checks are therefore important for all breeds and sizes of dog and cat in paralysis tick regions.

Paralysis tick facts

• The eastern paralysis tick’s correct scientific name is Ixodes holocyclus. A second species, Ixodes cornuatus, can also cause tick paralysis in parts of southern Australia.
• Adult female eastern paralysis ticks are responsible for most serious cases of tick paralysis.
• In a recent Australian study involving more than 10,000 veterinary cases, the head, neck or ears were the attachment sites for 73% of affected dogs and 63% of cats.
• A pet can continue to develop signs after a tick has been removed because toxin already released by the tick may continue to affect the nervous system.
• Paralysis tick cases can occur throughout the year, even though peak periods differ by region and weather conditions.

Sources:

“Out for blood: preparing your pet for ticks and other bloodsuckers”, PetSure, https://petsure.com.au/knowledge-hub/ticks-fleas-parasites-pets/. Accessed 11 August 2026.

“Tick Paralysis of Dogs and Cats: An Updated Guide to Diagnosis, Management, Treatment and Prevention”, Australian Paralysis Tick Advisory Panel, 2024, https://vetapedia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024_Guidelines_Tick_Paralysis.pdf. Accessed 11 August 2026.

“Paralysis ticks prefer heads and necks of pets”, The University of Queensland, https://news.uq.edu.au/2025-10-paralysis-ticks-prefer-heads-and-necks-pets. Accessed 11 August 2026.

“Attachment-site preferences of Ixodes holocyclus, the eastern paralysis tick of Australia: insights from 10,311 cases of tick infestations in dogs and cats”, Australian Veterinary Journal, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/avj.70031. Accessed 11 August 2026.

“Prospective Study of 506 Dogs with Tick Paralysis: Investigating Measures of Severity and Clinical Signs as Predictors of Mortality and Assessing the Benefits of Different Therapeutics”, Animals, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10812437/. Accessed 11 August 2026.

“Tick paralysis in dogs and cats in Australia: treatment and prevention deliverables from 100 years of research”, Australian Veterinary Journal, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/avj.12891. Accessed 11 August 2026.

“General requirements: Ectoparasiticides for dogs and cats”, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, https://www.apvma.gov.au/registrations-and-permits/labelling-codes/veterinary-labelling-code/label-content/ectoparasiticides-dogs-cats. Accessed 11 August 2026.