How to spot ticks

Though no ticks are desirable, some are certainly worse than others. The three main tick culprits in Australia are the Brown Dog tick, Bush tick and worst of all, the Paralysis tick, which poses the greatest threat to our dogs. 

Ticks need humidity and mild weather to survive. That’s why September normally marks the start of paralysis tick season. It’s smart to know the tick symptoms before tick season arrives, however, ticks have been reported throughout the year, so you should always be alert to their presence and keep your dog protected with tick prevention treatment all year round.

If you’re alert to tick symptoms of tick paralysis, you will know how to spot ticks on your dog. Tick symptoms present in a variety of forms. If you notice a change in your dog’s bark, breathing increases or becomes laboured, coughing, excessive salivation, vomiting or regurgitation, weakness in the back legs, which usually progresses to the front legs, and a reluctance or inability to get up or walk – these are all the most dangerous tick symptoms.  

<h2>Finding ticks on your dog<h/2>

The majority of ticks on dogs can be found around head and neck area. It’s a good idea to check your dog for ticks daily. And remember, you’re more than likely to feel the tick than to see it, so make sure to use your hands to feel along your dog’s skin and give a thorough check - especially if he spends a lot of time outdoors.

To find ticks, use a finger walk technique for lumps and bumps, particularly around those hidden areas such as under the collar and chin, between the toes, the paws, gum-line, lips, eyes and inside the ears. Ticks just love ears.  And don’t forget to feel along their body, making sure to check their belly, and then down their back legs and genital region, as ticks can often be found there, as well as their tail. 

Learn more about ticks here