What treatment is available for tick paralysis?
Gordon Vet Hospital sees a large case load of tick paralysis and have an excellent rate of success with treating these cases. Treatment involves administering a sedative, an anti-tick serum usually intravenously (or directly into the abdomen via a needle in some cats) and often intravenous fluid therapy. Pets with tick paralysis must have food and water withheld as the paralysis causes the swallowing and gag reflexes to be abnormal. Most cats and dogs that present with mild to moderate signs of paralysis can be discharged within a few days. Unfortunately, despite treatment, some pets with severe tick paralysis do not make it through and die of complications such as respiratory collapse or pneumonia. Treating cases of tick paralysis can be expensive. While we do our best to provide an estimate of cost at the beginning of treatment, it is impossible to know how long your pet may be required to stay in hospital for as each case responds differently and must be treated accordingly.
