Tick paralysis is a type of motor paralysis caused by a neurotoxin secreted by ticks in their saliva and released into the bloodstream of cats or other hosts. Tick paralysis occurs mostly in cats and dogs, but other species can also be affected. Ticks are small parasites that feed on blood and they can cause paralysis in cats especially if they have been feeding on the host for a long time. Ticks can even cause death in felines. Therefore it is important to check your cat’s body for ticks regularly, especially after walks in the park, forests, or playing in tall grass.
Symptoms of Tick Paralysis in Cats
Cats suffering from tick paralysis exhibit the following symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Weakened limbs and lack of coordination
- Troubles lifting the head
- Difficulties breathing and swallowing
- Coughing
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulties meowing
- Hypothermia
It is important to react to the first symptoms and make an appointment with your veterinarian for a check-up. Even if you cannot find a tick on your cat’s body, it does not mean that is wasn’t there. The tick might have fallen off but the neurotoxin it released could still affect your pet’s health.
Tick Removal
The first thing to do when you spot a tick on your pet’s skin is removing it. You can have your veterinarian do it or you can remove it yourself.
If you intend to remove the ticks yourself, use latex gloves and tweezers or tick removers and grasp the tick body. You should pay attention not to squeeze the tick’s body during removal since it will release a higher amount of toxins into your cat’s bloodstream. There are also special substances that you can spray on the tick to kill them.
There might be more than one tick attached to your cat, therefore a thorough checkup should be performed. Ticks are usually located around the neck, but they can also be found in other areas of the body.
Even if you remove the ticks yourself, it is strongly recommended to visit your veterinarian for treatment and to check if the sites bitten by the tick for infections.
Treatment of Tick Paralysis
The treatment for tick paralysis varies according to the type of paralysis and the symptoms of the cat.
Usually, cats suffering from tick paralysis are given antiserum. Saline drops and oxygen can also be administered if the cat displays trouble eating or breathing.
The veterinarian might prescribe anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory medication if the cat presents signs of thromboembolism.
If the paralysis affects the spinal cord, surgery might be the treatment of choice.
Prevention of Tick Paralysis
In order to avoid thick paralysis it is best to keep your cat away from areas where he could get infested: parks, forests or tall grass. If your cat spends most of his time outside, you should check his body for ticks on a daily basis. There are also some tick control chemical substances and your veterinarian can recommend the most appropriate solution for your cat.