Tick Paralysis – Symptoms and Warnings

It is caused by ticks which excrete a toxin that affects the nervous system of mammals, more specifically caused from female tick bites, and it can turn deadly if not treated. Tick bites often produce a flaccid paralysis, when they bite, which causes your dog to suddenly feel weak and have no muscular tone. Not all breeds of dogs will be affected by tick bites, wherein many many only experience some loss of movement in their hind limbs.

In some other pets, the condition can become extremely critical where the condition can ascend up the body and affect the front limbs and even the muscles required for breathing. Thus, it is extremely critical that you are able to spot and recognize the issue immediately so that your pet’s problem can be cured and the tick(s) removed.

Read on to find out how you effectively get rid of the affects of a tick bite.

Warning Signs

Usually the signs will start 5-7 days after the tick has actually bit your dog, but it will usually take a few tick bites simultaneously in order for paralysis to actually begin occurring. The problem is, however, that since dogs are so furry, it can be hard to even notice a tick in the first place, as they can burrow themselves to the base of the skin, but the very first signs are weakness and in coordination in the hind legs. Your dog may also exhibit difficulty in chewing, breathing, and swallowing, and there will also not be any signs of a fever.

Whenever you notice your dog struggle with mobility, you should always take note if any of his/her symptoms relate to the above, so that way you can get your dog treatment immediately if they are in fact infected.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis for your dog is most often given if your dog has a rapidly worsening condition, or if he/she is actually experiencing the common symptoms, most notably, paralysis.

Your dog will have a rapid recovery once you are able to locate the tick(s) and remove them. Of course, easy diagnosis also comes from the signs of paralysis, but you should regularly check your dog for ticks, if his/her behavior becomes strange, especially if you are often in regions which have ticks.

Cures for Tick Paralysis

The cure for the problem is simple, as all you have to do is remove and and all ticks on your dog. You may have a hard time finding all of the ticks, or the tick, if your dog has a lot of fur, because ticks normally burrow into the skin, which means you may have to shave your dog for the time being, before they cause serious harm to your pooch.

Once the tick is removed, most dogs will quickly recover, but if your dog is severely affective, then he/she may require supportive care from a veterinarian, or artificial respiration may be required.

You may also want to consider an antitoxin to be administered to your dog, so that your dog can cure faster.

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