How do Paralysis Ticks get onto cats and dogs?
Stimuli such as heat and movement alert the tick to a potential host. They climb onto vegetation and when an animal passes, it waves it's forelegs (known as questing) until it makes contact with the host.
As symptoms progress you may notice;
o Limb weakness, starting in the hind legs, progressing to the front legs, appearing wobbly and uncoordinated, falling over, paralysis.
o Incontinence.
o Laboured breathing.
o Coma.