Spring in Northern NSW is the peak of the tick season. All pet owners need to be more vigilant in checking their fur babies to make sure they do not end up at the Vets in a life or death situation due to the dreaded paralysis tick.

Local veterinarian Daryl Deeley from Keen Street Vet told the Lismore App while Spring is the peak time of year for ticks we do get them all year round in the Northern Rivers. "We had four tick cases in June", Daryl said, "they are around all year so pet owners should be aware for 12 months of the year not just the peak time."

This was supported by VetLove Vet Director Simon Arnesen, "we have had three cases in the last week and if the forecast wet spring weather comes true then it will only get worse because ticks become even more prevalent after we have rain."

Both vets said 'prevention' is essential, it is the simplest and best solution.

Daryl Deeley said the cost of prevention is around the $55 mark for 3 months treatment for a medium size dog if using Brevecto. This amount varies depending on the size and weight of your pet.

Simon Arnesen said there are some very effective products that have been released in the last 18 months to two years which has seen an 80% reduction in the amount of ticks cases.

If you are weighing up the cost of prevention versus the risk, something to keep in mind is the vet bill if your animal gets rushed to your local vet seeking treatment from a paralysis tick.

"With no complications and depending on the size of the animal, an owner would be looking at $500-600 and if there were breathing difficulties or other issues the cost will be closer to $1200", Mr Deeley said.

What signs do you look for in your pet?

If your pet has been outdoors especially in bush areas then stroking their coats feeling for ticks is a good habit to get into.

If you miss the tick, other symptoms to look out for are weak in the back legs, vomiting and nausea, gagging, difficulty breathing and if your pet is off their food. "The key is to get them in early to your vet before the symptoms progress," Daryl said.

How do you remove a tick?

Both vets said the easiest way is to get down to your local vet let them remove it and do a test to see if it is a paralysis tick or not.

If you are likely to try and remove the tick from your pet, the advice is to pinch it with your nails under the head and pull gently with tension to remove the entire tick. Another way is to get some cotton, make a lasso, tighten it under the ticks head again and pull gently with tension again.

Importantly you are looking to get the entire tick out of your pet and not leave the head, this can cause a small infection.

"You can see the head and legs still wiggling if you remove the tick properly," Mr Arnesen said, " people should keep in mind that just because the tick is out doesn't mean your pet is out of danger."

"A paralysis ticks poison is slow working so monitor them closely over the next 24 hours. Pets can get sicker once the tick has been removed."

Antiserum

We are lucky in the Northern Rivers as this is the only place where an antiserum is made.

Mr Deeley explained that in the 1950's and 60's his old boss Jack Frogley along with David Jones and Keith Curtain produced an antiserum that is still available today, in some cases it is being produced by their children.

When you think of ticks this spring, the key word appears to be 'prevention'.