DOG OWNERS WARNED ABOUT BOOM IN TICKS ON AUSTRALIA’S EAST COAST AFTER LAST YEAR’S HOT AND WET SUMMER

Dog owners have been alerted to a tick boom occurring along Australia’s east coast, with some experts predicting a particularly challenging season for pets.

Veterinary scientist and parasitologist Peter Irwin, an emeritus professor at Murdoch University, explained that the severity of tick seasons is largely influenced by the weather in the preceding months, noting that last summer was hot and wet along the east coast. “That suggests this year’s tick season will be severe, and it appears to be unfolding as expected,” he said.

While some experts believe the current surge in ticks is typical for this time of year, the lack of official data on tick bites or populations makes it impossible to confirm definitively.

Dr. Alex Gofton, who studies tick-borne pathogens and diseases at CSIRO, explained that while ticks are present year-round, people typically notice them when adult ticks emerge in spring. “These are the ones that love to bite us, and they are also responsible for causing paralysis in our pets.”

Gofton has not observed anything indicating unusually high tick numbers this season. “Every spring, people claim, ‘The ticks are really bad this year; they’re worse than last year.’ The truth is, tick numbers always spike in spring.”

Paralysis ticks, found along a narrow coastal strip from northern Queensland to Lakes Entrance in Victoria, account for 95% of tick bites in humans and can be potentially lethal to cats, dogs, and other animals.

Gofton explained that the factors influencing tick seasons are complex. Temperature and humidity are crucial, along with the presence of host animals like kangaroos and bandicoots. “Human factors also come into play—how often people move in and out of tick habitats,” he noted.

If a person or their pet is bitten, it’s vital to stay calm and avoid pulling the tick off. “You should always freeze it, not squeeze it,” he advised, recommending the use of tick-freezing spray available at pharmacies.

During a trip to Culburra Beach on the south coast of New South Wales, Eleanor discovered 39 live ticks on her four-year-old Finnish Lapphund, Beans.

While she knew it was tick season, she said, “I had no idea it would be like this.” Beans was “crawling with parasites.”

“The number of ticks we found on her was nightmarish,” she recalled. “Every evening, after the kids went to bed, we spent our time pulling ticks out of her fur.”

Irwin emphasized that adult paralysis ticks, primarily active from August to December, pose a significant risk to pet owners and veterinarians. “Untreated cats and dogs can die from tick paralysis,” he warned. “Even with treatment, success is not guaranteed.” Fortunately, he noted that the disease is largely preventable with effective collars, tablets, and treatments.

Prof. Ala Tabor, an animal health specialist at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation at the University of Queensland, explained that larger animals tend to have a better chance of surviving paralysis tick toxins.