The Sheltie has since made a “miraculous” recovery since a vet removed a tick, his owner told ABC News.
The dog had lost most functions while becoming paralyzed after a family camping trip in April. The Sheltie from Portland, Oregon was about to be Euthanized when a vet decided to check further into the dog’s condition. The first vet conducted tests, but couldn’t find out what was wrong with the dog.
Dr. Adam Stone of the Dovelewis Emergency Animal Hospital diagnosed the tick paralysis after a visiting veterinary student, Neena Golden, found a tick while preparing the Sheltie for Euthanasia.
The vet removed the tick and shave the area to make sure there were no additional ticks.
Tick paralysis is caused by a neurotoxin produced in the salivary gland of female ticks. The neurotoxin is released into the dog’s bloodstream while the tick is attached and feeding on the dog’s blood. Tick pralysis produces ascends from the lower extremities and spreads to the upper extremities. Tick paralysis can be incapacitating or fatal via respiratory arrest if it involves the diaphragm.
Once a tick is removed, most dogs begin to recover and regain muscle strength in a few hours, and recover 100 percent function in about 3 days.
The American Lyme Disease Foundation, reports the following ticks can cause tick paralysis:
Rocky Mountain wood tick
American dog tick
Deer tick
Lone Star tick
Tick paralysis can also affect humans, especially children.
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