Briefs
THE 4th annual National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence will be held on 21 March 2014 and schools are being encouraged to join in (see full story on page 5).
Register online to become part of the national conversation at www.bullyingnoway.gov.au
MAKE sure the clock isn’t ticking for your pet.
Following one of the warmest winters on record, Southern Downs’ residents are urged to check their pets, particularly cats and dogs for paralysis ticks. Last year 3653 pets across Australia suffered from tick paralysis, said Adele Driver, of Petbarn in Toowoomba. This figure is said to be a vast underestimate of the true number of pets that are affected by ticks each year.
“The fact is, with the right knowledge and products, pet tick deaths are preventable,” said Ms Driver.
Paralysis ticks attach themselves to cats or dogs and secrete a toxin that affects the nervous system.
Symptoms include loss of coordination in the hind legs or not being able to stand up, retching, coughing and/or vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, difficult or rapid breathing which can lead to changes in the bark or miaow, excessive salivation or any other abnormal behaviour.
“The best way to prevent ticks is to use a spot-on topical product which repels and kills ticks,” said Ms Driver.
“It is also very important to conduct a thorough search of your pet every day.”
She said ticks should be removed immediately and owners should speak to their vet or their pet shop.
