Tick paralysis Flashcards

1
Q

When is the dangerous time for paralysis ticks?

A

Aug - Nov

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2
Q

Explain the 3-host tick life cycle

A
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3
Q

Who is the main resovoir of Ixodes holocyclus?

A

Bandicoots - they are immune due to constant re-infestation

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4
Q

What environment would you see Ixodes holocyclus in?

A

Warm, moist climates on the coast.
Die in environment in absence of a host.
Die quickly in hot dry weather
Where the resovoir (bandicoot) host is

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5
Q

What is the host range of Ixodes holocyclus?

A

o Cattle
o Bats
o Kangaroos
o Dogs
o Cats
o Mice/rats
o Humans

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6
Q

What are the clinical signs associated with tick paralysis?

A
  • Forced breathing
  • Grunting while breathing
  • Coughing/gagging, sometimes vomiting from difficulty in swallowing
  • Weakness in legs or inability to get up, flaccidity in the tail with ascending paralysis
  • Lethargy, inappetence
  • Change of voice
  • Glazed look in the eyes
  • Drooling
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7
Q

Does removing the tick halt progressions of signs?

A

No, it does not immediately halt progression of signs as the toxin binds strongly to the receptor

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8
Q

How is tick paralysis classified?

A

Using both a neuromuscular score (1-4) and respiratory score (A-D)

NOTE: animals that present with 3C-4D have a guarded prognosis

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9
Q

Does tick paralysis cause chocking in dogs?

A

Yes, megaoesophagus is associated with tick paralysis

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10
Q

Where are the most common places for ticks to attach?

A

Common attachment sites:
- neck
- ears

Esoteric attachment sites:
- Around eyes
- On/around and under lips
- Under collar
- Inside ears
- Between tows
- Around anus

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11
Q

What are the two phases of tick engorgement?

A

Slow phase:
- first 3-5 days
- Slow secretion of toxin
Rapid phase
- Lasts 12-24 hours (roughly a tenfold increase in weight
- rapid secretion of toxin

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12
Q

How much weight gain do we see in an engorged tick?

A

100x

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13
Q

What are the other sequellae of tick bites?

A

Papules as a result of nymphs

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14
Q

List the factors that are not directly related to toxicity

A
  • Size of the tick
  • number of attached ticks
  • duration of attachement
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15
Q

How is tick paralysis treated?

A
  • Expensive treatment
    1. Locate and remove tick(S) - DO NOT squeeze. Give acetylpromazine (sedative, hypotensive and anti-emetic), other drug options include atropine and dexamethasone and adrenaline for cats OR if previous treatment of ATS in dogs.
    2. ATS administered SLOWLY - combined with supportive therapy (if required). Most cases improve 6-12 hours. After discharge, keep quiet for 7-10 days
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16
Q

What is ATS produced in?

A

Rabbits or dogs

17
Q

How many CSIRO antitoxin units per mL is required to be in ATS?

A

500 CSIRO antitoxin units per mL

18
Q

Can ATS be given multiple times per season?

A

No, there is a risk of serum sickness (anaphylaxis)

19
Q

What control measures can be in place to decrease the chances of tick paralysis?

A
  • Concerted examination (particularly in the months of high risk)
  • Tick collars, spot-ons, chewable tablets and regular washes
  • Insect repellent containing DEET
  • Control of the environment - dog and cat runs, walking in bushland, fences and netting
20
Q

What are some differential diagnosis of tick paralysis?

A

o Botulism
o Organophosphate toxicity
o Idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis (“Coonhound paralysis”)
o Polyneuropathy
o Snake bite – brown, black & death adder
o Fish poisoning – tetrodotoxin (toadfish) & Ciguatera

21
Q

What are python ear tags (deltamethrin) used for?

A

Control of paralysis ticks in cattle in QLD

22
Q

What is

A
23
Q

What is the name of this tick?

A
  • Haemaphysalis longicornis AKA bush or scrub tick
  • mainly a parasite of cattle
  • found on the east coast of Aus from QLD to VIC
  • It is a vector of Theileria orientalis
24
Q

What are the characteristic features of Haemophysalis longicornis?

A

o Anal groove indistinct
o Legs all brown
o Short mouthpart
o Rounded scum and festoons
o Flared palps

25
Q

What tick is this?

A
  • Rhipicephalus sanguineus AKA brown dog tick
  • Inland tick
26
Q

What are the important ticks of dogs?

A

o Ixodes holocyclus (paralysis tick; coastal)
o Rhipicephalus sanguineus (dog tick; inland)
o Haemaphysalis longicornis (bush tick, coast and ranges)

27
Q

What are the important ticks of cattle?

A

o Rhipicephalus australis (cattle tick; Qld)
o Haemaphysalis longicornis (bush tick)
o Ixodes holocyclus (on calves)