Meet Pearl, Our Brave Paralysis Tick Survivor in Gosford

In June, one year old domestic long hair cat ‘Pearl’ was found collapsed at home with very weak back legs, she was immediately rushed to her local vet and later transferred to Animal Referral Hospital (ARH) Gosford with respiratory distress.

Two large paralysis ticks were found on her neck and behind her right ear. The tick toxin made her extremely sick, and she was heavily paralysed which impacted her breathing. The Emergency & Critical Care team at ARH Gosford provided immediate life-saving care, and a day later, still not able to breathe on her own, Pearl was placed on a ventilator. Pearl was on the ventilator for five days until she could be weaned off successfully, and remained in hospital for a few more days under observation.

Unfortunately, Pearl was not on any tick prevention, and although preventative medication does not provide 100 percent protection, it can greatly help reduce the risk of being bitten.

With a total vet bill of $30,000, Pearl’s owner John says “When you compare the cost of a few nights on a ventilator versus a lifetime of tick prevention, keeping your pets protected is worth it. We are normally up to date with our tick prevention with all our pets, it had just slipped. Pets become part of your family and especially one that is as cuddly as Pearl is, she’s very much loved. I am so incredibly grateful to the team at ARH Gosford and the amount of care the team showed.”

Pearl has made a full recovery and is now back home with her owners enjoying many pats and cuddles.

How to check for ticks
Keep your pet on year-round tick prevention, and do daily tick searches by running your hands through their coats, and places they can’t reach, like their ears and the back of their necks.

Found a tick on your pet?
This is an emergency – contact your local Greencross Vets immediately or if after hours, visit one of our trusted emergency hospital partners. – open 365 days including public holidays.