Vets warn: Your dog is at risk if you live in these areas - here's how you can protect them
- Replies 0
Pets are a big part of our lives and we want to keep them safe and healthy as much as possible. We love our pets and they bring us so much joy, but we also know that they need to be taken care of to stay healthy and happy.
For our members who are dog owners, we have some important news to share with you regarding an impending potentially hazardous 'season' that could put the lives of your four-legged pals at risk.
Before tick season, Australian veterinarians have issued an urgent warning to dog owners. According to experts, the forthcoming season might be disastrous due to a mix of hot and rainy weather.
Unsettling new data from the Australian Paralysis Tick Advisory Panel shows that only 48% of dogs in paralysis tick-prone areas in Australia are protected against ticks, a decrease of 5% over the previous two years.
It was also revealed that at least 10,000 animals with potentially fatal bites are taken to the vet annually.
Credit: 7News via Getty Images.
Northside Emergency Veterinary Service veterinarian and panel member Dr Heather Russell has issued a dire warning to dog owners urging them to safeguard their canine companions.
The expert explained: 'Quite simply, the risk of not being protected against paralysis ticks all year-round is a matter of life or death.'
'Tick paralysis can be fatal. I’ve seen too many cases in my clinic already this year that could have been prevented.'
'This is why it is so important for pet owners to be able to recognise the signs and, even more importantly, to be protecting their pets with an effective tick control product.'
While veterinarians advise all dog owners to ensure their pet is protected regardless of where they live, there are specific regions that are of greater concern.
Tick hotspots are frequently found near dense bushland, rivers, the seaside, and national parks.
According to NexGard Spectra Australia, there are distinct places along the nation's east coast where paralysis and bush ticks are a problem.
A large portion of the eastern states of the nation, including NSW, QLD, VIC, NT, and SA, are regarded as hotspots for brown ticks.
Additionally, some parts of the coast of Western Australia are thought to be brown tick hotspots.
Ticks were a common problem last year in areas close to dense bushland, along rivers, or on the coast, such as close to national parks. Credit: 7News.
Tick paralysis can be a real pain for your furry friend, and it may include any or all of the following symptoms: loss of coordination, weakness, laboured breathing, grunting noises, change of bark, coughing, gagging, vomiting, loss of appetite, and inability to blink. If your dog is showing any of these signs, it's important to get them to the vet as soon as possible for treatment.
The best approach to finding these tiny bugs, according to veterinarians, is to routinely run your fingers through your pet's coat.
Here are some more tips on how to look for ticks on your dog:
1. Feel for any lumps by gently running your fingertips along the coat at the level of the skin.
2. Check between and under the toes as you move down the front legs to the paws, starting at the head and neck and paying special attention to the mouth and ears. Check the back legs, tail, back, belly, and chest.
3. Check underneath the collar to see if there are any ticks there before removing it.
Veterinarians also emphasise the importance of preventative care, using chewable tablets costing about $60 for three months of protection.
Our pets play a significant role in our lives, so we try to do everything we can to keep them content and healthy. Unfortunately, many dangers can threaten their health and safety, from household hazards to infectious diseases. But by being aware of the risks and taking some simple precautions, we can help keep our furry (and not-so-furry) friends safe and healthy.
So, there you have it, folks! We hope this article helped you safeguard your dogs from this dangerous risk!
For our members who are dog owners, we have some important news to share with you regarding an impending potentially hazardous 'season' that could put the lives of your four-legged pals at risk.
Before tick season, Australian veterinarians have issued an urgent warning to dog owners. According to experts, the forthcoming season might be disastrous due to a mix of hot and rainy weather.
Unsettling new data from the Australian Paralysis Tick Advisory Panel shows that only 48% of dogs in paralysis tick-prone areas in Australia are protected against ticks, a decrease of 5% over the previous two years.
It was also revealed that at least 10,000 animals with potentially fatal bites are taken to the vet annually.
Credit: 7News via Getty Images.
Northside Emergency Veterinary Service veterinarian and panel member Dr Heather Russell has issued a dire warning to dog owners urging them to safeguard their canine companions.
The expert explained: 'Quite simply, the risk of not being protected against paralysis ticks all year-round is a matter of life or death.'
'Tick paralysis can be fatal. I’ve seen too many cases in my clinic already this year that could have been prevented.'
'This is why it is so important for pet owners to be able to recognise the signs and, even more importantly, to be protecting their pets with an effective tick control product.'
While veterinarians advise all dog owners to ensure their pet is protected regardless of where they live, there are specific regions that are of greater concern.
Tick hotspots are frequently found near dense bushland, rivers, the seaside, and national parks.
According to NexGard Spectra Australia, there are distinct places along the nation's east coast where paralysis and bush ticks are a problem.
A large portion of the eastern states of the nation, including NSW, QLD, VIC, NT, and SA, are regarded as hotspots for brown ticks.
Additionally, some parts of the coast of Western Australia are thought to be brown tick hotspots.
Ticks were a common problem last year in areas close to dense bushland, along rivers, or on the coast, such as close to national parks. Credit: 7News.
Tick paralysis can be a real pain for your furry friend, and it may include any or all of the following symptoms: loss of coordination, weakness, laboured breathing, grunting noises, change of bark, coughing, gagging, vomiting, loss of appetite, and inability to blink. If your dog is showing any of these signs, it's important to get them to the vet as soon as possible for treatment.
The best approach to finding these tiny bugs, according to veterinarians, is to routinely run your fingers through your pet's coat.
Here are some more tips on how to look for ticks on your dog:
1. Feel for any lumps by gently running your fingertips along the coat at the level of the skin.
2. Check between and under the toes as you move down the front legs to the paws, starting at the head and neck and paying special attention to the mouth and ears. Check the back legs, tail, back, belly, and chest.
3. Check underneath the collar to see if there are any ticks there before removing it.
Veterinarians also emphasise the importance of preventative care, using chewable tablets costing about $60 for three months of protection.
Our pets play a significant role in our lives, so we try to do everything we can to keep them content and healthy. Unfortunately, many dangers can threaten their health and safety, from household hazards to infectious diseases. But by being aware of the risks and taking some simple precautions, we can help keep our furry (and not-so-furry) friends safe and healthy.
So, there you have it, folks! We hope this article helped you safeguard your dogs from this dangerous risk!
