TAGS Inc. Australia - Prevention of Tick Poisoning in Pets

The paralysis tick is generally found in coastal regions of NSW and Qld. This generally means East of the Great Dividing Range (see Distribution of the Paralysis Tick for a map).

Ticks require warm (not hot; ideally 7-32 C) and humid weather. They also require an appropriate range and density of fauna to act as intermediate and end stage hosts. Avoiding areas that may be traversed by native mammals is the simplest means of prevention. Unfortunately, backyards adjoining natural bushland are at risk of intrusion by native marsupials.

Occasionally ticks can fall from overhanging trees. It is also possible for ticks to be carried by birds.

Clipping long hair coats

Keeping a dogs coat clipped short (just 2-3 cm) makes finding ticks easier. This is particularly so for dogs predisposed to matting of the coat. Clipping a coat too short may increase the risk of sunburn however.

Searching pets

Daily examination remains the least expensive and most effective form of prophylaxis, as the disease will not develop until ticks have been attached for at least 3 days. Searching may need to be continued for a week or more (longer in cool weather) after a dog has been exposed to the risk of picking up ticks. A combination of inspection and palpation (feeling) is best.

Most ticks will be found on head, neck and shoulder regions. Ticks can be mistaken for nipples or superficial skin tumours if one relies on palpation alone. Some ticks are in a prominent position such as on the nose or eyelid but may be missed because they are hidden by matted hair or resemble warty skin tumours. One needs to remember that tick paralysis may still develop 24-48 hrs after a tick has been removed.

Chemical treatments for pets

Follow manufacturers directions carefully! No chemicals can be relied upon entirely to prevent tick paralysis.

NB: Daily examination is still recommended with all of these products. This list is not comprehensive. Recommendations for usage may change from time to time and product directions need to be closely adhered to.

Environmental awareness. Sydney Water is trying to raise community awareness about Pet insecticides to help reduce the pesticide contamination of sewage and stormwater (e.g. with chlorpyrifos, diazinon etc which are found in some pet and garden products). These and many other pesticides are toxic to the marine environment and are being detected at the sewer outfalls. When washing pets we should try to prevent pesticides entering either the rainwater or sewer water systems. This means not washing with pesticides in basins, bath tubs and over street drains- a small patch on the lawn is perhaps best (see 'Pets and Pests Community Information' by Sydney Water).

Commercial name	Application	Active ingredient(s) & mode of action	How to use against paralysis tick	Claimed tick protection
Frontline spray, S5 (Merial Aust Ltd) 250 mL or 100 mL	spray	fipronil 0.29 % w/v topical; binds to oils on skin and hair and in sebaceous glands; if a tick attaches to a fipronil-treated animal, it will be killed 24-48 hours later	sprayed over entire body at 6 mL/kg, especially the head, chest and front legs. Most dogs will tolerate direct spraying of the face as they naturally blink to avoid eye contact. Use rubber gloves to rub the spray around the head, neck and front legs.	Can be used on kittens older than 7 days, pups older than 2 days; up to 3 weeks for paralysis ticks, up to 4 weeks for brown dog ticks; can be used every 3 weeks on cats but no claims for efficacy NB: Frontline will not kill ticks immediately after contact.
Frontline Top Spot, S5 (Merial Aust) 3 or 6 phials per wallet	topical concentrate	fipronil 10% w/v topical (as above)	squeezed onto top of neck for paralysis tick protection one may safely use one higher size vial than that used for flea protection (Merial representative, pers com) currently comes in 4 sizes- small, medium, large and extra large	Can be used on kittens older than 12 weeks, puppies older than 10 weeks; can be used on up to 2 weeks for paralysis tick in dogs; in cats Top Spot for cats may help reduce the risk but is not as reliable as the spray NB: can be toxic in rabbits (esp. dwarf)
Permoxin Insecticidal Concentrate (Dermcare-Vet) 200 mL or 1 Litre	spray or rinse	permethrin (human grade); need to dilute 10 mL of concentrate in 400 mL of either water or methylated spirits topical; binds to hair (not to oils)	for continuous prevention- use as a rinse or soaking spray once weekly; must treat deep down into the coat for periodic prevention- apply as spray before entering paralysis tick area, then again another spray when have left area for attached ticks- active ingredient causes paralysis of tick mouthparts and hence further toxin excretion; apply as a rinse to dog if ticks are discovered	Claims up to 1 week protection; good when frequent bathing is required NB: toxic in cats
Fidos Fre-Itch Rinse Concentrate (Mavlab) 125 mL, 500 mL and 5 Litres	rinse	pyrethrins 10 g/L, piperonyl butoxide 18 g/L, N-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide (MGK 264) 30 g/L topical, rapid action but not a long residual effect (3 days); piperonyl butoxide and MGK 264 synergise with pyrethrin insecticidal action as well as being mild repellants	dilute in water 1 mL per 100 mL water; can apply as dip, rinse, sponge-on or spray-on; for continuous tick prevention use every 3 days; do not rinse off; towel dry puppies and kittens	Suitable for dogs, puppies, cats, kittens and cage birds
Bay-O-Pet Kiltix (Bayer)	collar	flumethrin 22.5 g/kg propoxur 100 g/kg (an anticholinesterase) topical; distributed on coat as a fine powder, this being assisted by body movement	neck collar; collar resists the effects of water but it is recommended that the collar is removed during swimming and bathing; frequent wetting may shorten the effective life of the collar	Claims up to 6 weeks protection for paralysis ticks; usually effective within 24 hours, but possibly longer in thick double coats NB: toxic in cats.
Bay-O-Pet Flea Collar for Cats® (Bayer)	collar	propoxur	neck collar for cats	Propoxur is a carbamate (anticholinesterase) that is claimed to discourage tick attachment on cats.
Bay-O-Pet Asuntol, S6 (Bayer)	rinse	coumaphos 50 g/L (an anticholinesterase) topical rinse	dilute 5 mL in 1 liter water; saturate coat and skin with the diluted wash and allow to dry in the coat; wear rubber gloves and face shield and avoid inhaling vapours; have atropine tablets on hand in case of poisoning.	For paralysis tick weekly treatment is necessary ensuring thorough treatment of the head, neck and face area NB: toxic in cats
Exetick (Schering-Plough) spot treament 6 tubes per wallet	topical concentrate	permethrin topical; "spot" type treatment of concentrate applied to back of neck +/- rump	topical application; 1 tube for dogs < 15 kg and 2 tubes for dogs > 15 kg; ok to use after shampoo bathing but dry first	Claims up to 2 weeks; safe for puppies, pregnant and lactating bitches NB: toxic in cats
Deltaderm Demadex- Acaricidal Wash, S6 (Deltaderm)	rinse	amitraz 50 mg/mL; dilute 5mL per litre of water topical, but has some systemic absorption	sponged on; not uncommon to see a transient sedative effect within 2-6 hours lasting 12-24 hours, and which may include listlessness, ataxia, anorexia; animals should not be stressed for at least 24 hours after treatment; dog should be > 4 months of age; not recommended for Chihuahuas or cats	Claims up to 1 week protection; NB: toxic in cats
Proban Tablets of Oral Liquid, S6 (Boehringer Ingelheim) tablets 50's or 100's liquid 30 mL	oral liquid or tablets	cythioate (an anticholinesterase) 30 mg tablets, 15 mg/mL liquid systemic (taken up by tick from blood stream) see also detailed scientific literature on Proban®	liquid- 1 mL/5kg every 2nd day; tablet- 1 tablet/10kg every 2nd day (every 48 hrs); may not be tolerated in a small number of cases; do not use in sick, lactating and or pregnant animals or those recovering from surgery or receiving another organophosphate cats: "off label" use- 1/4 tablet/5kg every 2nd day	Claims continuous protection; will also control ticks located in unusual locations such as inside body orifices (mouth, ears, anus, vulva etc); infestation with multiple ticks can lead to very high levels of toxins, which can cause paralysis between doses of Proban, therefore daily searching is still recommended; can be used all year round; start using 1 week before risk period to 1 week after risk period; not registered for this purpose in cats but has been used "off-label" in high risk situations.
Preventic® (Virbac)	collar	amitraz collar	dogs	Claimed to offer 2 months protection- kills ticks within a few days after; application; however, after washing or swimming, it may take 24 hours for protection to be re-established and daily searching is still recommended.

Vaccines

Unfortunately, despite initial hopes, a successful vaccine may still be some years away.

Prevention of Tick Poisoning in Pets

Avoidance

Clipping long hair coats

Searching pets

Chemical treatments for pets

Vaccines

Links on Tick Control Products