Ask most Aussie pet owners when they need to worry about paralysis ticks and they’ll point straight at summer. It’s a reasonable assumption — but it’s also the one that lands pets in emergency hospitals every winter. The Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) doesn’t pack up and hibernate when the weather cools, and vets along the east coast are reporting cases right through the colder months. Here’s what’s actually going on, and how to keep your dog or cat safe no matter the season.
Why winter no longer means “tick-free”
The traditional paralysis tick season runs from roughly October to March, when warm, humid conditions let ticks thrive. That timing still holds for peak risk. The problem is that milder winters and unpredictable rainfall have stretched the danger window well beyond the textbook calendar.
Paralysis ticks are found along the humid eastern seaboard, from far north Queensland down through New South Wales and into eastern Victoria. In these regions — especially warmer, coastal and bushy pockets — ticks can stay active year-round. A run of warm, wet winter days is all it takes for them to start questing for a host again. The takeaway: a cold snap is no guarantee your pet is in the clear.
The early signs every owner should know
A paralysis tick releases a neurotoxin as it feeds. Symptoms usually appear a few days after the tick attaches and tend to worsen quickly, so catching them early genuinely saves lives. Watch for:
- Weakness or wobbliness, often starting in the back legs
- A change in the sound of your dog’s bark or your cat’s meow
- Lethargy, reduced appetite or vomiting
- Excessive drooling, gagging or a dry, gurgling cough
- Laboured breathing or heavy panting
If you notice any combination of these — particularly hind-leg weakness paired with a cough or breathing change — treat it as an emergency and call your vet straight away. Tick paralysis can progress from mild unsteadiness to a life-threatening crisis within hours.
Where ticks hide — and how to check
A daily tick search is your single most effective habit. Run your fingertips slowly through your pet’s coat, feeling for any small lump or crater on the skin. Ticks love warm, hidden spots, so pay special attention to:
- Around and inside the ears
- Under the collar and around the neck
- The face, lips and gum line
- Between the toes and around the paws
- Under the front legs and around the tail
Most ticks are found on the front half of the body, but they can attach anywhere, so check the whole animal. Long-haired pets are trickier — a tidy clip over the cooler months makes daily searches far easier.
Removing a tick safely
If you find one, don’t panic and don’t squeeze the body — squashing it can push more toxin into your pet. Use fine-tipped tweezers or a purpose-made tick remover, grip as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight out with steady pressure. A quick-freeze tick spray is another good option if you have one on hand.
Once it’s out, don’t assume the danger has passed. Keep your pet calm, quiet and cool, and monitor closely for the symptoms above. Because signs can appear or worsen after removal, it’s wise to phone your vet for advice even if your pet seems fine — and head straight in at the first hint of weakness, coughing or breathing trouble.
Year-round prevention that actually works
Prevention beats treatment every time, and the modern options make it straightforward:
- Use a vet-recommended preventative all year — chewable tablets (monthly or three-monthly), spot-on treatments and tick collars are all effective. Your vet can match the right product to your pet.
- Search daily anyway. No product is 100% foolproof, so the hands-on check stays essential even when your pet is protected.
- Manage your yard. Keep grass short and clear away leaf litter and bushy overgrowth where ticks wait for a host.
- Be extra vigilant after bushwalks or trips to coastal and bushland areas, and after warm, wet weather.
Cats aren’t off the hook either — they’re just as vulnerable. Keeping cats indoors, or to a contained outdoor space, dramatically lowers their exposure, and never use a dog tick product on a cat without veterinary guidance, as some are toxic to felines.
The bottom line
Paralysis ticks are one of the most serious seasonal threats to pets in eastern Australia, and the “season” is no longer as tidy as it used to be. A year-round preventative, a two-minute daily tick search and a low threshold for calling your vet are all it takes to stay ahead of them. Winter is the perfect time to build the habit — long before the spring rush arrives.
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for veterinary advice. If you’re worried about your pet, contact your local vet or nearest animal emergency hospital.
