The RSPCA is warning pet owners this may be the worst tick season in the organisation’s history.

They’re blaming a dry winter on the increasing number of pets coming in with ticks.

Cavill McClune reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The RSPCA Animal Hospital in Wacol houses hundreds of abandoned and abused animals, as well as pets recovering from ticks and injuries.

It’s urging pet owners to be vigilant in checking their pets over summer.

Michael Beatty, RSPCA Spokesman: “Everyone who has a dog or cat at this time of year should be using tick preventive medicine and you should also be checking your pet as well as using the medicine.”

There are a few symptoms to look out for including wobbliness of the hind legs, difficulty breathing, coughing and vomiting.

Vicky Lomax, RSPCA Vet: “You know your pets pretty well if they’re not as well as you think they should be it’s worth having a look over for ticks and if you find a tick and they are affected the sooner you take it to your vet the better it will be.”

While pet owners in rural areas have the most to worry about, pets in the suburbs are just as at risk.

Vicky Lomax, RSPCA Vet: “Ticks can be transmitted on possums, birds and bandicoots so if you have any of those little animals visiting you, ticks are still a problem in those areas.”

Vets across the south east are reporting more and more cases of animals with paralysis ticks, with almost 50 deaths in Queensland already.

If your pet shows any symptoms, the best advice is to see your vet.

Cavill McClune, QUT News.