RV FEATURE
The first sign that your dog has a tick is likely to be paralysis of its hind legs . Other symptoms include an unsteadiness , a dry cough , or a change in the dog ’ s bark . If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog , get it to a vet immediately .
You can reduce the risk of paralysis ticks by ensuring your dog has a regular tick and flea treatment . You should also do daily checks of your dog ’ s skin by feeling all over for small lumps . Be sure to check under any collars , between the paws and around the mouth .
If you do find a tick on your dog , you must remove it immediately and get the dog to a vet . We keep a set of tick tweezers in our dogs ’ first aid kit for such purposes . There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing how to correctly remove a tick from your dog .
Check out any bumps on your dog ’ s skin . It could be a paralysis tick
Always use a trusted brand of tick prevention and ensure it protects against brown dog tick
CANINE EHRLICHIOSIS
This is a disease that is transmitted through the bite of the ‘ brown dog tick ’. This parasite was recently discovered in north Western Australia in May 2020 and has become widespread in warm and humid areas of our continent . It ’ s been detected as far south as South Australia . The bite and resulting illness are potentially fatal for dogs .
Signs of the disease include fever , loss of appetite , lethargy and bleeding . Severe and rapid weight loss , swollen limbs , blindness and difficulty in breathing are also prevalent in some infected dogs .
Fortunately , the disease is easily treated with antibiotics and most tick preventatives are effective against brown dog ticks .
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