Comments on: Dog Tick Borne Paralysis

By: PragmaticMom

PragmaticMom — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:14:40 +0000

I just heard that the Lyme Disease vaccine for dogs is not very effective AND that ticks are now resistant to FrontLine. Yikes, I guess I better step up the tick patrol!

I am really paranoid about Lyme Disease and had my doctor check for ticks during my annual skin check. She also wrote a great post called Lyme Aid that I thought was extremely informative (though disheartening)
http://www.kraussderm.com/frequently-asked-questions/lyme-aid

By: Troy

Troy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:23:09 +0000

I find this information quite relevant. This year the ticks in the Saskatoon, SK, area have been out of control. My dogs are getting jumped by ticks continuously. In the past month I have probably pulled dozens off of each. In a recent 3 day span I counted over 40 ticks that I pulled off of my dogs and my family. We do spend a lot of time outdoors. In a previous 2 day span I pulled 7 ticks off the dogs in various stages of engorgement and put them in a jar. My daughter’s teacher was very interested in seeing them for educational purposes. Some of the ticks I pulled off the dogs have been very engorged. It is hard to think that I would miss these guys considering I am always checking! This is happening when they are in my back yard or out in trails. And I live within the city! I have never seen it like this. Now, to the point, my 10 year old Sheppard seems to be OK, but I have noticed her back legs are getting a little unsteady. I thought it was simply due to her advancing age. However, based on the news I have just read in this web site I will now seek a vet’s advice.

By: Juan343

Juan343 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:00:04 +0000

Doc. I believe that my doggy just got that!!! im seraching online in the vets office… yet it relates a similar event to the one that happened in my house… my doggy gave a loud howl then fell on the ground unstable and his head twisted about 170 degrees… i just hope he can make it out..

juan
miami florida

By: MCPAWS REgional Animal Shelter

MCPAWS REgional Animal Shelter — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:33:12 +0000

We just had a dog brought in to our shelter today with this condition. It was abandoned, and found by a good samaritan who had brought him to the vet to be euthanized. He was almost completely paralyzed, but the vet found the tick and removed it. Grady is now recovering comfortably at our shelter, and will hopefully find a new home with owners who will think before dumping their dog in the woods to die.

By: Joseli

Joseli — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:45:42 +0000

this happened to my sister’s wolf hybred, but he never did recover and had to be put to sleep.

By: TorontoVet

TorontoVet — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:26:30 +0000

Really interesting and useful info. It’s something we don’t see much of (I’ve never seen a case of it) here in Toronto. Thanks very much for sharing and I’m really glad to hear your parents’ dog has recovered.

Your fellow Canadian vet,

Clifford

By: danielle

danielle — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:51:30 +0000

happy to hear jessie is doing good i whould be horified if any thing happened to my dog she is not onely my dog she is my best frend she goes every ware with me how did you get the tick off can it get cats or people

By: danielle

danielle — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:50:00 +0000

happy to hear jessie is doing good i whould be horified if any thing happened to my dog she is not onely my dog she is my best frend she goes every ware with me

By: Kyle

Kyle — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:02:16 +0000

Thanks for the great info.

I have a question about the tick problem that the article didn’t address.

Can the ticks also transmit the paralysis to humans and cats or does this only affect dogs ?

By: Marcia Harrison

Marcia Harrison — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:43:33 +0000

Did Jessie need any medication for the tick bite? I am a groomer and over the past two years, we have had many clients fall ill and die from exposure to tick bites. I feel it’s a silent epidemic in the northeast (united states). I feel the state’s agriculture department should start monitoring the fatalities of dogs due to tick borne diseases. The only problem is that may vets won’t recognize these facts!

By: Marcia Harrison

Marcia Harrison — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:41:02 +0000

Hi to Judith regarding her Newfies..I’m a groomer, and we find many ticks as we are drying the dogs. My suggestion is to get a regular hair dryer, keep it on warm/cool setting and blow the hair away down to the skin. This will help you find the ticks.

By: Diane Milinowski

Diane Milinowski — Tue, 12 May 2009 19:12:50 +0000

amazing. The same thing happened to my dog, Chaka (a doberman pincher) back in 1988.

By: Jan Ault

Jan Ault — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:28:50 +0000

Hi! Doc!!
When I read the first few lines-my heart sank! So glad to see you dad has his best friend back to share love!
I’m on my way out to my Co-host’s dog’s funeral. Radar a beautiful German Shepard 3 years young,died on Mommy’s Day-went through the autopsy yesterday,my birthday,and services today.
I will email more about Radar’s death. My heart is real heavy now-will take some time to heal.
Blessings!
Animallover-Jan

By: Judith

Judith — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:35:03 +0000

Re: Tick paralysis
What scares me is that I have two big black Newfie dogs and don’t have a clue how I would ever see a tick in their thick black coats. Any suggestions?

By: Jean McKinney

Jean McKinney — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:28:28 +0000

Hi Dr. Jones,

So glad to hear Jesse is back to his old self.

What method do you recommend for removing a tick?

Thanks,

Jean