Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Tick paralysis in cats from Ixodes ticks in Australia
By Schull, Daniel N et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2007·School of Veterinary Science, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Tick toxicity in cats caused by Ixodes species in Australia: a review of published literature.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat in Australia was diagnosed with tick toxicity after showing signs like weakness in the hind legs, anxiety, and difficulty breathing. The vet found ticks on the cat and treated it by removing the ticks, giving antitoxin serum, and providing supportive care. With prompt treatment, the cat's condition improved, and the prognosis was good. This highlights the importance of checking for ticks if your cat shows unusual symptoms, especially in areas where tick exposure is common.
People also search for: cat weakness after tick bite · tick toxicity treatment in cats · signs of tick poisoning in cats
Abstract
Tick toxicity in cats caused by Ixodes holocyclus and related species is a common medical condition on the east coast of Australia. Intoxication typically causes a flaccid ascending neuromuscular paralysis and clinical signs can include anxiety, dysphonia, hind limb weakness and/or ataxia, pupillary dilation, respiratory signs and possible bladder voiding dysfunction. Diagnosis is made with a combination of appropriate clinical signs and visualisation of tick(s) on a thorough body search. Cases are classified clinically using a scoring system, which grades neuromuscular weakness and respiratory compromise. The mainstays of treatment are tick removal, administration of tick antitoxin serum and intensive supportive care. Given a prompt and appropriate management regimen, prognosis is good, according to available literature. Most of the literature concerning tick toxicity in cats is anecdotal in nature and an evidence-based review of what is known of this condition has not previously been published.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17706447/