Warning issued about dangerous pests attacking Far North dogs and cats
Shire pets
One Far North Queensland 24-hour emergency vet has treated close to 70 dogs and cats for tick paralysis since the start of June - including two from Mossman - prompting warnings for owners to check pets regularly for the life-threatening pests.
Emergency Vets 24/7 at Manunda said this week ticks that paralyse pets are active across the region right now, with cases also recorded in Kuranda, Mareeba, Trinity Beach and a host of Cairns suburbs.
Seven cases from Mooroobool have been recorded, with six from Woree and five from Bentley Park.
“If you see your pet collapsed, or walking with a wobbly gait, stumbling, gagging, retching, coughing, or with a change in their bark or meow, please call us,” a vet spokesperson said.
“It could be a sign of tick paralysis.”
The vet recommended searching for ticks on pets daily, checking that your tick prevention is up to date, and immediately buying more tick-prevention products if you are running low.
“The 2026 winter paralysis tick season is well and truly underway,” they said.
“Ticks are active, biting, and causing the same life-threatening paralysis we see every year in dogs and cats.”
The potentially deadly condition is caused by the Paralysis Tick parasite, which is found in bushy coastal areas of eastern Australia.
Ticks attach by burrowing their mouths into the skin, then feed on blood while injecting saliva, which includes a toxin that affects the pet’s nervous system and muscles.