Timely reminder this tick season
IT is time for dog owners in the Tweed to start doing daily tick inspections of their animals.
Greenway Drive vet Clinic and Kingscliff Vet Clinic owner Matthew Casey said ticks are more prevalent in the spring and summer months as temperatures and humidity start to rise.
"When the humidity starts to rise that's when the ticks mature and the female starts looking for food," Mr Casey said.
"There is the odd tick around in the winter months, particular around rural areas like Terranora and Bilambil.
"(The tick that causes paralysis) is the most dangerous in the world and it is a unique tick to Australia."
He said the tick was only found on the east coast and habitat was close to the coast.
"If you don't know about ticks in your area then call a vet and find out if there is a tick problem in your area," he said.
"Anyone wanting to be safe as possible should do daily tick inspections."
He said tick treatments help but there always remained a risk to pets of Tick Paralysis.
The toxin from the tick's saliva paralyses the skeletal muscles causing progressive paralysis of the legs leading to complete body paralysis.
The toxin also affects breathing muscles leading to respiratory failure and death.
