Year-Round Tick Paralysis Threat- National Tick Awareness Month Friday 1 August

Australia – [July, 2025] – National Tick Awareness Month on Friday, 1st August, Pet Insurance Australia is urging pet owners to remain vigilant about tick paralysis in dogs and cats, even during winter, as new emergency case data and pet health trends confirm this risk persists year-round.

Tick paralysis is a life-threatening condition caused by a neurotoxin released by particular species of ticks. The toxin can lead to progressive, ascending paralysis, typically beginning with weakness in the hind limbs and progressing to the front limbs.

“In severe cases, it can result in respiratory failure,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. “Common signs include unsteadiness when walking, difficulty standing, laboured breathing, lethargy, changes in vocalisation, loss of appetite, and vomiting.”

The Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH), one of Australia’s largest 24/7 emergency networks, has confirmed over 700 cases of tick paralysis in pets since early 2023. While most cases have occurred along the east coast (Sydney, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast), a recent locally acquired case in Adelaide highlights the expanding range of this threat.

“Ticks pose a big problem for pet owners, and staying vigilant is paramount in protecting pets from this deadly parasite,” Crighton says. “If you live in a known tick area, it is important to start considering your preventive protection now.”

PetSure’s 2025 Pet Health Monitor*, the country’s most comprehensive annual analysis of pet claims, reveals that tick paralysis ranks among the most costly emergency conditions, with maximum individual claims exceeding $57,000.

“Paralysis ticks can cause a huge range of issues for pets that can lead to very costly veterinary treatments to ensure the life of the pet,” Crighton warns. “In Australia, several preventative treatments are available to protect pets from paralysis ticks, and we strongly advise all pet owners to discuss protection with their local veterinarian to ensure their pets are kept safe.”

What Pet Owners Should Know

1. Ticks are active all year—cases occur in both summer and winter.
2. Tick paralysis is a medical emergency requiring immediate care.
3. Treatment costs for paralysis ticks can reach tens of thousands of dollars,

“These new SASH figures and PetSure data show clearly—tick risks don’t disappear in cooler months. Year-round prevention is critical to keep pets safe and avoid serious treatment costs.”

How to Protect Your Pet

• Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention products 12 months a year.
• Check pets daily, especially after bush or grassland exposure.
• Be alert to symptoms like limb weakness, coughing, lethargy, or vomiting.

“Even if you don’t live in a known tick-prone area, it’s crucial to research your travel destination,” says Crighton. “Many pet owners are caught off guard when visiting regions with high tick activity, often without adequate protection in place for their pets.”

References

* https://petsure.com.au/pet-health-monitor/

Nadia Crighton

Nadia Crighton is a renowned and accomplished professional in the fields of Journalism, Public Relations, and Writing, with an extensive career spanning over 25 years, 20 of which have been dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of pets.

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