Tick toxicity in cats is a common condition along the eastern coast of Australia and is usually linked with exposure to Ixodes holocyclus. Typical clinical signs include a flaccid ascending neuromuscular paralysis, anxiety, dysphonia, hind limb weakness, papillary dilation and respiratory signs. Mainstays of treatment are tick removal, antitoxin serum and intensive supportive care.
With prompt and appropriate management, the prognosis is good but the authors warn that most of the literature on tick toxicity is highly anecdotal in nature.
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 9 (6): 487-493.
Abstract reproduced by kind permission of Veterinary Practice magazine.