Living on the beautiful Sunshine Coast means enjoying nature with our beloved animals while remaining mindful of paralysis ticks.
At KIBO Holistic Vet Team, we look at the whole animal through the principles of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). Our approach includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, food therapy and care tailored to each individual.
Alongside this holistic approach, daily tick searches, effective prevention and recognising the signs of tick paralysis are essential.
Daily Tick Checks
Make a thorough tick search part of your fluffy’s daily routine, particularly after spending time outdoors. Use your fingertips to feel carefully along the skin, checking around the ears, head, neck, between the toes and under the legs.
Give particular attention to the face and front of the body, where ticks commonly attach. However, ticks can attach anywhere, so always check the entire animal, including the belly, groin and beneath the tail.
Daily searches remain important even when your fluffy is receiving tick prevention.
Traditional and Natural Approaches
Some owners also use botanical preparations, such as neem-based sprays, as part of their tick-management routine. Any product must be suitable for the individual animal and used according to veterinary advice.
Botanical preparations should not replace effective paralysis-tick prevention or daily searches.
TCVM, Acupuncture and Supportive Care
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture may be considered by a qualified veterinarian as supportive therapies for selected neuromuscular conditions.
At KIBO, we may consider these approaches when assessing animals with ongoing concerns following tick paralysis, including hind-leg weakness. Regurgitation requires particular caution because of the risk of food or fluid entering the lungs and needs prompt veterinary assessment.
Our team also uses aqua-acupuncture with vitamin C in selected cases. This involves administering vitamin C at acupuncture points. However, high-dose vitamin C and aqua-acupuncture have not been established as methods of neutralising or removing paralysis-tick toxin.
These approaches must be coordinated with the treating veterinarian and must never delay or replace emergency treatment.
Individualised Herbal Medicine and Food Therapy
Chinese herbal medicine and food therapy have a long history within TCVM.
We consider each animal’s constitution, patterns and individual needs when developing a plan to support their overall wellbeing. Recommendations are tailored to the patient, taking their current condition and other treatments into account.
Paralysis Tick Poisoning Is a Veterinary Emergency
Weakness, wobbliness, regurgitation, a change in voice or breathing difficulties require immediate veterinary attention.
Do not wait for a holistic appointment or for symptoms to improve. Seek emergency veterinary care, even if the tick has already been removed.
At KIBO, we respect the wisdom of TCVM and the relationship between animals and their environment, while recognising the importance of effective prevention and timely emergency treatment.
Respect nature. Understand the individual. Care for the whole animal.
— Dr KK and the KIBO Holistic Vet Team
