Dr Katria Lovell
‘A puppy had been left in a basket on the front porch with a note saying, Something is wrong, my owners cannot look after me. Please help.’
‘A puppy had been left in a basket on the front porch with a note saying, Something is wrong, my owners cannot look after me. Please help.’
‘A puppy had been left in a basket on the front porch with a note saying, Something is wrong, my owners cannot look after me. Please help.’
‘A puppy had been left in a basket on the front porch with a note saying, Something is wrong, my owners cannot look after me. Please help.’
‘A puppy had been left in a basket on the front porch with a note saying, Something is wrong, my owners cannot look after me. Please help.’
Orphaned and Paralysed
Orphaned and Paralysed
Orphaned and Paralysed
Orphaned and Paralysed
Orphaned and Paralysed
Opening the front door of reception at 7am one morning, our receptionist made a surprising discovery, a puppy had been left in a basket on the front porch with a note saying, “Something is wrong, my owners cannot look after me. Please help.”
This defenceless orphan captured the hearts of our team, who affectionately named him “Hugo” and at approximately three months of age, this terrier was experiencing a great deal of difficulty in breathing and walking, making this, an emotional few days for us all.
Upon examination, an enormous paralysis tick was found on his left eye and we immediately admitted Hugo to intensive care and treated him with a combination of anti-serum, oxygen and various medical therapies to hopefully combat the effects of this fatal toxin.
“Tick paralysis is the Bane of a South East Queensland Veterinarian’s existence.”
Toxins from ticks at ANY size pack a mighty punch, bringing even the largest and strongest animals to their knees. With the toxin directly affecting the nervous system and with clinical signs ranging from hind-limb weakness, breathing and cardiac complications, death is common and early aggressive treatment is essential for survival.
Every year, hundreds of tick paralysis cases are treated in our clinic. Yet, no particular case is ever the same and the treatment process is always arduous and emotionally draining for all involved.
After five days in hospital Hugo was deemed ‘recovered’ and found a wonderful new home with the parents of our practice manager, Warwick. Hugo was flown to Melbourne and will now have a wonderful “furrever home.”
They say love is a four-legged word, and without a doubt, Hugo will always hold a very special place in our hearts…
Brown Dog Tick
Tick Removal
Tick Removal
Tick Removal
Tick Removal
Tick Removal
Ticks do not fall from trees, or jump onto animals or humans, they attach to their hosts as they walk through their backyard, park or bushland. They are nature’s vampires.
Ticks attach to pets and humans, by inserting hypostomes (mouthparts) into their skin then, by producing a binding substance, like glue, to help them stay attached as they feed off their host’s blood and when full, they will secrete enzymes to dissolve the glue, allowing themselves to detach.
Certain ticks can cause paralysis as a direct result of toxins released within their bloodstream and more importantly, can cause many diseases. For safe tick removal, use pointy tweezers to allow you to grab the part of the tick closest to the skin. Even if the hypostome breaks, the germs that could make you sick are further back in the tick’s body, in the salivary glands and within the gut.
Regular checks and the use of tick control products on pets are the best prevention and additionally, by providing a one metre buffer between your lawn, trees or shrubbery, reduces the possibility of ticks affecting you or your pet…