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One of Australia’s leading specialist 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital groups has issued a warning for pet owners after emergency admissions data revealed over 700 cases of tick paralysis in dogs and cats have been seen since the start of 2023 – including during the cooler winter months.
Cases were also seen in Melbourne and Canberra.
The news has prompted vets to call on pet owners to take a proactive prevention approach.
Guidelines by the Australian Paralysis Tick Advisory Panel, which consists of veterinary and scientific experts, underline that the best defence is for owners to use an effective tick control product all year round for all dogs and cats living in or travelling to a known paralysis tick region. Daily tick searching is also recommended.
To help educate pet owners, an annual initiative called National Tick Awareness Month for Pets will be running again from August 1st-31st to shine a light on the life-threatening dangers paralysis ticks pose to dogs and cats.
Dr Tim Hopkins, Emergency Vet at SASH Northern Beaches, says, “While tick paralysis is a life-threatening condition, it’s preventable with simple strategies.
“People may only think that the risk is in the spring and summer, but tick paralysis cases can happen throughout the year, including winter.”
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| Engorged Paralysis Tick attached to a dog - Credit: SASH Vets |
To help educate pet owners, an annual initiative called National Tick Awareness Month for Pets will be running again from August 1st-31st to shine a light on the life-threatening dangers paralysis ticks pose to dogs and cats.
“People may only think that the risk is in the spring and summer, but tick paralysis cases can happen throughout the year, including winter.”
“Many cases we see need intensive care, including mechanical ventilation, which can be emotionally difficult for pet owners. Sadly, some pets don’t survive. The good news is that there are highly effective tick control products available for dogs and cats, such as NexGard SPECTRA®, that can help prevent this.
Elwood, an eight-year-old Norwich Terrier, is lucky to be alive after a terrifying close call with tick paralysis following a missed dose of tick control. After a visit to the Central Coast in September last year, Elwood became unsteady on his feet. Initially diagnosed with gastro, his condition worsened within hours. A quick-thinking vet nurse discovered two paralysis ticks – one on his muzzle, the other on his chest - and urgently prepared him for transfer to SASH North Ryde.
Elwood suffered a cardiac arrest in emergency and was placed on a ventilator for survival. He spent nearly two weeks in ICU fighting for his life.
Elwood, an eight-year-old Norwich Terrier, is lucky to be alive after a terrifying close call with tick paralysis following a missed dose of tick control. After a visit to the Central Coast in September last year, Elwood became unsteady on his feet. Initially diagnosed with gastro, his condition worsened within hours. A quick-thinking vet nurse discovered two paralysis ticks – one on his muzzle, the other on his chest - and urgently prepared him for transfer to SASH North Ryde.
Elwood suffered a cardiac arrest in emergency and was placed on a ventilator for survival. He spent nearly two weeks in ICU fighting for his life.
“It was utterly heart-breaking,” Elwood’s owner Steve said, “but the SASH team were extraordinary.”
Now fully recovered, Elwood’s story is a powerful reminder that prevention is everything. Steve is sharing their experience to raise awareness and help prevent other families from going through the same ordeal.
In addition to using an effective tick control product all year round, the Australian Paralysis Tick Advisory Panel also advises dog and cat owners to perform daily searching and removal of ticks. Pet owners can use the following techniques to check their pet for ticks:
✔️ Gently move your fingertips (‘finger walk’ them) through the coat at the level of the skin, over every aspect of your pet feeling for any bumps.
✔️ Start the search at the head and neck, remembering to check in the mouth and ears. Continue down the front legs to the paws, checking between the toes and underneath the paws. Then search the chest, belly, back, tail, back legs, paws and toes.
✔️ Remove the collar and search for ticks that may be hiding underneath it.
✔️ If your pet has a long coat, consider clipping the coat (including the head and tail) during periods of increased risk (particularly spring and summer) to make searching for ticks easier.
“There are almost 12 million dogs and cats across Australia, so this is a public warning every pet owner needs to hear. Please don’t wait for spring to act as the ticks are out there,” said Dr Tim Hopkins.
About NexGard SPECTRA®
NexGard SPECTRA® for Dogs, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, is a tasty once-a-month chew suitable for puppies and dogs from eight weeks of age and weighing at least 1.35 kg. NexGard SPECTRA® provides the most complete protection against fleas, ticks, mites, lice, heartworm and intestinal worms, all in one tasty chew. NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-On for Cats is Australia’s first and only all-in-one parasite product for cats, providing protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm, lungworm and intestinal worms (including tapeworm).
NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-on for Cats provides the most complete parasite protection, all in one easy, monthly application. Both products are available in Australia at leading veterinary clinics, pet specialty stores and online. See product labels for full claim details and directions for use.
In addition to using an effective tick control product all year round, the Australian Paralysis Tick Advisory Panel also advises dog and cat owners to perform daily searching and removal of ticks. Pet owners can use the following techniques to check their pet for ticks:
✔️ Gently move your fingertips (‘finger walk’ them) through the coat at the level of the skin, over every aspect of your pet feeling for any bumps.
✔️ Remove the collar and search for ticks that may be hiding underneath it.
✔️ If your pet has a long coat, consider clipping the coat (including the head and tail) during periods of increased risk (particularly spring and summer) to make searching for ticks easier.
“There are almost 12 million dogs and cats across Australia, so this is a public warning every pet owner needs to hear. Please don’t wait for spring to act as the ticks are out there,” said Dr Tim Hopkins.
About NexGard SPECTRA®
NexGard SPECTRA® for Dogs, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, is a tasty once-a-month chew suitable for puppies and dogs from eight weeks of age and weighing at least 1.35 kg. NexGard SPECTRA® provides the most complete protection against fleas, ticks, mites, lice, heartworm and intestinal worms, all in one tasty chew. NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-On for Cats is Australia’s first and only all-in-one parasite product for cats, providing protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm, lungworm and intestinal worms (including tapeworm).
NexGard SPECTRA® Spot-on for Cats provides the most complete parasite protection, all in one easy, monthly application. Both products are available in Australia at leading veterinary clinics, pet specialty stores and online. See product labels for full claim details and directions for use.
MEDIA RELEASE, Australia, July 2025
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