L.21 Tick Paralysis

Tick Paralysis: Disease

Tick bite paralysis, tick toxicosis

Tick Paralysis: Etiologic Agent

neurotoxin from Dermacentor spp., Ixodes scapularis, and Amblyomma americanum

Tick Paralysis: Species Involved

dogs humans

*NOT zoonotic

Tick Paralysis: Geographic location

Rocky Mountains, NW USA, Australia, Europe

Tick Paralysis: Clinical Signs

Humans: weakness, fatigue, ataxia, paralysis, muscle pain, and irritability

Dogs: Rapidly ascending paralysis, facial nerve paralysis, facial weakness, decreased muscle tone in jaw, and respiratory paralysis

Tick Paralysis: Morbidity/Mortality

Morbidity: if treated resolves in 1-3 days

Mortality: if untreated 12%

Tick Paralysis: Diagnostic Tests

• clinical signs, tick identification

• acute resolution of signs following tick removal

Tick Paralysis: Transmission

injection of neurotoxin from female tick during attachment

Tick Paralysis: Treatment/Control

Treatment: removal of tick and supportive care

Control: preventatives, PPE, tick checks

Tick Paralysis: Reportable?

Tick paralysis is not reportable, but it was in Washington state until 1998