Fatal tick ‘plague’ hits Eurobodalla pets

Eurobodalla RSPCA has reported an “extraordinarily large number” of fatalities and incidents in the tick-prone region in recent weeks, and is urging dog and cat owners do regular tick checks on their pets.

A branch spokeswoman spoke of a distressing experience at Moruya’s North Head camping ground last month, which led to the deaths of three dogs. 

The spokeswoman said she removed more than 100 ticks from nine dogs, some of which had been treated with tick prevention medication.

“People need to be aware this is the worst tick season we have seen in the Eurobodalla,” she said.

“I can’t stress enough how lethal they can be.

“(This tick season) is escalating beyond my comprehension.”

The RSPCA said Eurobodalla vets were bracing for the worst tick season in recent years, exacerbated by the warmer weather.

The RSPCA spokeswoman said it was important pet owners were vigilant during the summer months.

“With paralysis ticks, when people remove them from the animal, they need to kill the tick, not put it back on the ground,” she said.

“Owners need to thoroughly check their pets – their ears, bottoms, genitals – everywhere.

“It’s not the ticks you get off that do the damage, it’s the ones you miss.”

She said the situation was made worse by ineffective tick treatments.

“Unfortunately, some tick treatments aren’t working as ticks are becoming resistant,” she said.

“Even with the treatment, you need to be vigilant for check ticks; there is no guarantee.”

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