SEPTEMBER to April is a time for pet owners to be on high alert.
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During these months Australia will be in tick season, with your pooches skin the perfect spot for the deadly paralysis tick.
Animal health company Merial has supported a systematic tick mapping study that formulated a list of areas in NSW classed as hot-spots for the small arachnids.
Professor Stephen Barker charted the postcodes where at least 50 cases of tick paralysis were reported by veterinarians for the five year period between October 2010 and April 2015.
Port Macquarie joined fellow Mid-North Coast city Coffs Harbour on the list for ticks.
During that four and a half year period Port Macquarie had 256 cases while Coffs reported a whopping 932, the most in the state.
This is alarming news for Laurieton and Camden Haven pet owners.
Camvet veterinarian Gavin Rippon has already treated 25 tick cases since July, with two of the pets unfortunately passing away.
If you find a tick it is important to remove it as soon as possible.
“The best thing for dogs is the tablet medication which can provide protection for ticks for up to four months,” Dr Rippon said.
“Unfortunately there is no current approved prevention of ticks for cats. The best thing to do is daily checks on your pet, especially from the chest upwards.”
It’s not recommended to put anything on the tick or the animal’s skin. If you find a tick, remove it and call your vet immediately.