If you live south of Brisbane, you might assume tick season is something you only worry about over summer. Here’s the uncomfortable truth a lot of owners learn the hard way: paralysis ticks don’t read the calendar. In the warmer north they’re a year-round threat, and across much of the southern coast the season actually begins in winter and runs through to late spring. So while you’re rugging the dog up against the cold, the deadliest parasite in the country could be quietly settling in.
Tick paralysis is one of the few pet emergencies that can go from a slightly wobbly walk to a life-threatening collapse in a matter of hours. The good news is that it’s largely preventable, and knowing the early signs gives you a real head start. Here’s what every Aussie dog and cat owner should have front of mind this winter.
What paralysis tick really does to your pet
The culprit is the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, found along the eastern seaboard from north Queensland down to eastern Victoria. As it feeds, it injects a toxin that attacks the nervous system, gradually blocking the signals that tell muscles to work. That’s why the classic first sign is weakness in the back legs that creeps forward through the body.
Left untreated, the toxin can reach the muscles your pet uses to breathe. According to University of Queensland veterinarians, weakness can progress rapidly to complete collapse, with the breathing muscles becoming paralysed. It’s serious, it moves fast, and one detail catches many owners out: signs can appear or keep worsening for up to 24 to 36 hours after a tick is removed. Removing the tick is step one, not the all-clear.
The winter myth that costs pets their lives
“One of the biggest misconceptions we see each year is that paralysis ticks disappear once summer ends,” says Nadia Crighton of Pet Insurance Australia. “Ticks don’t follow the calendar. If the conditions are right – combined with humidity, vegetation and wildlife present – ticks can remain active much longer than people expect.”
Mild, damp winters keep ticks active, and pet insurance claims data shows cases rolling on through autumn and into the colder months. In southern regions, tick season is generally considered to start around August and run into November – squarely overlapping with what most of us think of as “not tick weather.” The takeaway is simple: don’t drop your guard just because the days have turned cold.
Warning signs to watch for
Early symptoms can be vague, which is exactly why they’re so easy to miss. Call your vet straight away if you notice any of these:
- Wobbliness or weakness, usually starting in the back legs
- A change in bark or meow, or a softer, hoarse voice
- Vomiting, regurgitating, retching or excessive drooling
- Faster or more laboured breathing, or a grunting sound
- Reluctance to eat, lethargy, or trouble standing and jumping
Cats can be especially subtle, often just going quiet and off their food before more obvious signs appear. If something seems off and your pet has any outdoor access, treat ticks as a real possibility – it’s far better to make a phone call you didn’t need than to wait and see.
How to do a proper daily tick check
During tick season, a hands-on search every day is your best early-warning system. Ticks are small and easy to miss under fur, so go slowly and use your fingertips to feel for any lump at skin level.
- Start at the nose and work backwards, parting the fur and ‘finger-walking’ over the skin
- Pay extra attention to the front half of the body – research suggests around 90% of paralysis ticks are found forward of the shoulders
- Check inside and around the ears, around the eyes, lips and chin
- Run your fingers between every toe and under the collar
- Don’t forget around the back end and under the tail
Bear in mind that roughly one in ten affected pets has more than one tick, so finding one isn’t a reason to stop looking.
If you find a tick
- Remove it as soon as possible – a tick remover or fine tweezers close to the skin works well; try not to squeeze the body
- Pop the tick in a zip-lock bag or small container so your vet can confirm the species
- Watch your pet closely, and contact your vet even if they seem fine, because signs can still develop over the next day or two
- If your pet is already wobbly, vomiting or struggling to breathe, treat it as an emergency and get to a vet immediately – don’t offer food or water, as throat weakness raises the risk of choking
Prevention that genuinely works
Daily checks are vital, but they work best alongside a registered tick preventative. A few practical pointers:
- Choose a product specifically registered for paralysis tick control (Ixodes holocyclus), not just fleas and brown dog ticks
- Dose strictly to your pet’s current weight, and keep treatments on schedule – gaps are when ticks slip through
- Never use a dog tick product on a cat; many contain permethrin, which is toxic to cats
- Keep grass trimmed and discourage possums and bandicoots, which can carry ticks into the yard
- Travelling up the coast or to a bushy area? Have a chat with your vet first, as tick pressure varies by region
Your vet is the best person to match a product to your pet’s age, weight, species and lifestyle. Consult a licensed veterinarian for advice, diagnosis or treatment specific to your animal.
Frequently asked questions
Can pets get paralysis ticks in winter?
Yes. In northern Australia paralysis ticks are active year-round, and in southern regions the season often starts in winter and continues into spring. Mild, humid conditions keep ticks active well outside the summer months.
How quickly does tick paralysis come on?
It varies, but signs often appear several days after a tick attaches and can worsen quickly once they start. Importantly, symptoms can still develop for 24 to 36 hours after the tick is removed, so keep monitoring and contact your vet.
Where are ticks most commonly found on a dog or cat?
Most are found on the front half of the body – around the head, ears, neck, shoulders and between the toes – with studies pointing to around 90% forward of the shoulders. Always keep checking, as some pets carry more than one.
Do indoor cats need tick prevention?
Strictly indoor cats are lower risk, but ticks can still hitch a ride inside on people or other pets, and many cats access balconies or gardens. If your cat goes outside at all, talk to your vet about a cat-safe preventative.
Key takeaways
- Paralysis ticks are a winter threat too, especially across the eastern and southern coasts
- Early signs are subtle – wobbly back legs, a changed voice, vomiting or breathing changes warrant an urgent vet call
- Do a thorough hands-on tick check every day, focusing on the front half of the body
- Removing a tick isn’t the all-clear; signs can appear up to 36 hours later
- Pair daily checks with a registered, correctly dosed tick preventative – and never use dog products on cats
