Every year, paralysis ticks in Australia claim the lives of thousands of pets — and many of those deaths are entirely preventable. Found along the eastern seaboard from North Queensland to northern Victoria, these tiny parasites inject a potent neurotoxin that can cause paralysis and death within days. Understanding where they thrive and how to provide effective tick protection for your dogs (and cats) is one of the most important things you can do as a pet owner.
What Are Paralysis Ticks?
The Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is a small, grey-blue arachnid found predominantly along the east coast. Unlike bush ticks or cattle ticks, the paralysis tick produces a neurotoxin in its salivary glands that it injects into its host while feeding.
An adult female tick can engorge over several days, growing from around 3 mm to over 1 cm in size. The longer it remains attached, the more toxin it delivers — which is why early detection and consistent prevention are critical.
Native wildlife such as bandicoots and possums have developed a natural immunity to the toxin. Our domestic pets, unfortunately, have not.
Where Paralysis Ticks Live in Australia
Paralysis ticks are endemic to a long stretch of Australia's eastern coastline. Their range extends from the tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland, through New South Wales, and down into the Gippsland region of eastern Victoria.
They thrive in warm, humid environments — particularly in bushland, coastal scrub, and areas with dense undergrowth. If you live near the coast or regularly walk your dog through bush trails, your pet is at heightened risk.
Peak season runs from spring through to late autumn (September to March), though in subtropical areas like south-east Queensland and the Northern Rivers of NSW, ticks can be active year-round. Warmer winters driven by climate variability are also expanding the active season further south.
Even urban backyards aren't safe if native animals such as possums or bandicoots pass through carrying ticks. A single visiting bandicoot can drop hundreds of tick larvae into your garden.
Signs of Tick Paralysis in Dogs and Cats
Tick paralysis symptoms typically appear three to five days after a tick attaches. Knowing the early warning signs can be life-saving.
Watch for:
- A change in bark or meow — the voice may sound weaker or hoarse
- Wobbliness or weakness in the back legs
- Loss of appetite or reluctance to eat
- Excessive salivation or gagging
- Difficulty breathing or heavy panting
- Vomiting or regurgitation
Symptoms can escalate rapidly. If your pet shows any of these signs — even if you can't find a tick — seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Time is critical with tick paralysis.
Quick tip: Keep a tick removal tool (such as a tick twister or fine-pointed tweezers) in your car, hiking bag, and at home. If you find a tick, grasp it as close to the skin as possible and twist firmly to remove it whole. Don't squeeze the body, as this can inject more toxin.
How to Protect Your Pet from Ticks
Reliable, year-round tick protection for dogs and cats is essential if you live in or visit tick-prone areas. Modern preventatives have made it far easier to keep pets safe, and the best approach combines a quality product with regular tick searches.
Browse our full range of flea, tick and worm treatments for dogs to find the right option for your pet's size and lifestyle. Options include long-lasting chewable tablets, spot-on treatments, and tick collars — each with different durations and coverage.
Long-acting chewable treatments are among the most popular choices for Australian dog owners. Products like those in the Bravecto range provide extended protection against paralysis ticks, meaning fewer doses to remember and fewer gaps in coverage.
Key tips for effective protection:
- Stay on schedule. Set reminders for your pet's next dose. A lapsed treatment leaves your pet vulnerable.
- Match the product to your pet's weight. Underdosing reduces effectiveness.
- Don't rely on prevention alone. Always combine product protection with daily tick searches, especially during peak season.
- Protect cats too. Cats are highly susceptible to tick paralysis. Use only cat-specific products — many dog treatments are toxic to cats.
The Daily Tick Search Routine
Even with the best preventative on board, a daily tick search is a non-negotiable habit during tick season. No product offers 100% protection, and finding a tick early dramatically improves outcomes.
Run your fingertips slowly over your pet's entire body, feeling for any small lumps or bumps. Pay close attention to these common attachment sites:
- Around and inside the ears
- Under the collar
- Around the eyes and lips
- Between the toes
- Under the front legs and in the groin area
- Under the tail
Ticks can be as small as a pinhead in their early stages, so go slowly and use good lighting. Make the search part of your evening routine — after walks is ideal. Long-haired breeds may need extra attention, and clipping the coat shorter during summer can make searches easier.
If you find and remove a tick, monitor your pet closely for the next 24–48 hours. Symptoms can still develop after removal because toxin already in the bloodstream continues to take effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can paralysis ticks be found in Melbourne or other southern cities?
Paralysis ticks are primarily found along the eastern coastline and are less common in metropolitan Melbourne. However, they have been recorded in parts of eastern Victoria, including the Gippsland region. If you travel with your pet to coastal or bushland areas in the east, tick prevention is strongly recommended regardless of your home location.
How quickly do I need to act if I find a tick on my pet?
Remove the tick immediately using a tick removal tool or fine-pointed tweezers. Even after removal, monitor your pet for symptoms over the following 48 hours. If you notice any wobbliness, voice changes, or breathing difficulty, seek emergency veterinary attention without delay.
Is tick protection needed all year round in Australia?
In tropical and subtropical regions — such as Queensland and northern NSW — paralysis ticks can be active in every month of the year. In cooler southern areas, the risk is highest from spring through autumn. Many veterinary professionals and product manufacturers recommend year-round tick protection for dogs and cats to eliminate gaps in coverage, particularly as seasons become less predictable.
Protecting your pet from paralysis ticks doesn't have to be complicated — it just has to be consistent. Explore our full range of tick and flea prevention products to find the right fit for your pet, and have a chat with your vet if you're unsure which option suits your pet's needs.