VIRBAC PRESS RELEASE PARALYSIS TICK ALERT
Virbac Australia Pty Ltd would like to stress the importance of paralysis tick protection for your pets. Paralysis ticks are present along the eastern seaboard of Australia stretching from the Lakes districts in Victoria to the far northern tip of Queensland. The Paralysis Tick (Ixodes holocyclus) causes a fatality rate of over 1000 dogs per year in Australia. This tick is a constant threat to dogs and cats during the spring and summer months. The paralysis tick feeds on the blood of dogs. There are toxins present in a tick’s saliva that cause a gradual paralysis of effected animals. The signs only become apparent 3 to 4 days after attachment. If your pet is suffering from any of the following signs; ataxia (wobbling of the back legs), change in the tone of bark or meow, laboured breathing, vomiting or complete paralysis, take your pet to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. There is treatment available but it is less successful the longer the treatment is delayed. Preventic® 2 Month Tick Collars are a safeguard for your dog against ticks and tick-borne disease. The collar kills ticks and discourages them from attaching to dogs. The active ingredient is Amitraz, which spreads through the dogs skin and coat 24 hours after application. Preventic® has been proven to be 99% effective in controlling Paralysis tick on dogs. Preventic® is an easy to use tick collar with the continuous release of the Amitraz ensuring protection for 2 months and removing the need for frequent reapplications. The special techniques used by Virbac, who lead the world in this form of slow release technology, allow the active ingredient to be released from the collar once it has been fitted to the dog. Preventic® collars are inexpensive to purchase and provide 2 months protection. Virbac recommends that daily searches for ticks should be used in conjunction with Preventic® or other products to protect your dog. Preventic® does not provide flea control but it can be safely incorporated into most flea control programs. For further information please contact Virbac Australia on 1800 242 100