Tick paralysis in dogs: what to do
3-year-old crossbreed living in the countryside, with 24 hours of ascending flaccid tetraparesis, reduced spinal reflexes and preserved sensation, without autonomic signs. On a thorough examination you find an engorged female tick in an interdigital space.
Which statement about this condition is correct?
chevron_right Show answer and explanation
A. A neurotoxin in the tick's saliva blocks neuromuscular transmission; once all ticks are removed, improvement is usually rapid
Correct. With Dermacentor ticks, improvement is usually seen within 24–72 hours. Australian ticks (Ixodes holocyclus) cause a more severe condition that may require tick antiserum and intensive care.
B. Paralysis appears a few hours after the bite
The female tick must feed for several days before producing enough toxin, so signs appear days after attachment.
C. Removing the tick does not change the course: recovery takes weeks, as in polyradiculoneuritis
On the contrary, removing the tick is the treatment and usually leads to rapid improvement; that is why you must search for ticks in every dog with acute flaccid tetraparesis.
D. The main treatment is doxycycline, for the tick-borne infection
Paralysis is caused by a toxin, not an infection. Doxycycline treats diseases such as ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis, but does not reverse the paralysis.
lightbulb Key takeaway
In Europe tick paralysis is uncommon, but in acute flaccid tetraparesis examine the whole body (ears, interdigital spaces, perianal area) and apply a fast-acting acaricide in case ticks remain hidden. Unlike botulism, autonomic signs are usually absent.
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Updated: October 31, 2026 · Educational content for veterinary professionals. It does not replace current clinical guidelines or the judgement of the attending veterinarian.