3 Sept 2025
Tick paralysis poses a real risk to pets during the warmer months, but there are some postcodes in Australia where pet parents claim most often for tick paralysis, according to PetSure, Australia’s leading pet insurer.
Despite being a year-round pet health risk, PetSure claims data shows a clear seasonal trend for tick paralysis claims. In 2024, October recorded an 87% uplift in claims for tick paralysis compared the month prior*, demonstrating the significant seasonal spike in this health risk for dogs.
PetSure Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Dr Simone Maher says treating tick paralysis is a matter of urgency and it can be a complex and costly procedure for pet owners. Paralysis tick toxin can be fatal, so immediate vet care is required.
“Treatment will involve the administration of tick anti-serum, and often sedation to keep a patient calm and quiet. Full shaving of the coat is often recommended to ensure no attached ticks are missed. In severe cases where respiration has been affected, animals may require breathing assistance”, she says.
The intensive nature of this treatment means it is often expensive; in FY25, the average amount claimed for tick paralysis in dogs was $3,320 and the maximum amount claimed was nearly $57,480**.
Data insights show the states where customers claimed most often for tick paralysis in dogs in 2024 were New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD), with the top three suburbs based in NSW's Upper and Lower North Shore areas of Wahroonga, St Ives and Lane Cove.
Dr Maher says ticks are often found in bushy areas, leaf litter, long grass and humid environments, mainly on Australia’s East coast.
Dr Maher says all breeds are equally susceptible to the parasites. “Ticks are more common in dogs living in tick-prone areas or exposed to tick habitats. And in dogs with thick or dense coats, it can be difficult to carry out a thorough check for ticks”, she says.
Dr Maher shares her advice for pet parents to keep safe from tick paralysis all year round:
Use paralysis tick preventatives, which are available in many different formulations (chewable, topical and injectable), and talk with your vet about the option best suited to you and your pet (for example, administration intervals could be monthly, once every three months or an annual dose).
No tick preventative can be guaranteed to be 100% effective, so regular tick searches are still important. Talk to your vet if you’re not sure how to do this.
Remember, cats are also at risk of tick paralysis so year-round tick preventatives are also recommended for cats.
Know the early warning signs of tick paralysis and be prepared to act fast. These include: uncoordinated movement; weakness in the limbs (particularly the hind legs); excessive coughing, grunting or noise or difficulty when breathing; vomiting, gagging or a reluctance to eat; droopy eyelids or facial features.
“Ticks are part of Australia's East coast habitat and particularly pose a risk in the warmer months. But if you’re vigilant, you can prevent serious illness or even a fatal disease”, she says.
Top 15 postcodes that claimed most often for tick paralysis in dogs – 2024^
Rank | State | Postcode / Locality |
1 | NSW | 2076 – Normanhurst and Wahroonga |
2 |
| 2075 – St Ives, St Ives Chase, North St Ives |
3 |
| 2066 – Lane Cove, Lane Cove North, Lane Cove West, Linley Point, Longueville, Northwood, Riverview |
4 |
| 2074 - Turramurra, North Turramurra, South Turramurra, Warrawee, Bobbin Head |
5 |
| 2088 - Mosman, Spit Junction |
6 |
| 2540 - Callala Bay - Currarong, Ettrema - Sassafras - Budawang, St Georges Basin - Erowal Bay, Tomerong - Wandandian - Woollamia, North Nowra - Bomaderry, Culburra Beach, Nowra, Huskisson - Vincentia, Jervis Bay, Sussex Inlet - Berrara, Berry - Kangaroo Valley, Ulladulla Region in the areas of Shoalhaven, Jervis Bay, Callala Bay - Currarong |
7 |
| 2101 - Elanora Heights, Ingleside, Narrabeen, North Narrabeen |
8 |
| 2250 - Bucketty, Calga, Central Mangrove, East Gosford, Erina, Gosford, Niagara Park, and more |
9 |
| 2065 - Crows Nest, Greenwich, Naremburn, St Leonards, Wollstonecraft |
10 |
| 2761 - Colebee, Dean Park, Glendenning, Hassall Grove, Oakhurst, Plumpton |
11 | QLD | 4069 - Brookfield, Chapel Hill, Fig Tree Pocket, Kenmore, Kenmore DC, Kenmore East, Kenmore Hills, Pinjarra Hills, Pullenvale, Upper Brookfield |
12 |
| 4350 - Athol, Blue Mountain Heights, Centenary Heights, Charlton, Darling Heights, Drayton, Glenvale, Harristown, Mount Lofty, Rangeville, Redwood, Toowoomba (City/East/West/South), and more |
13 | NSW | 2086 – Frenchs Forest |
14 |
| 2031 - Clovelly, Clovelly West, Randwick, and St Pauls |
15 |
| 2085 - Belrose, Belrose West, and Davidson |
2024 PetSure claims data, monthly claims volume change (October compared to September) for the condition ‘parasitic condition – tick paralysis’
** FY25 PetSure claims data, average amount claimed per case and maximum total claimed per case (dogs)
^2024 PetSure claims data, claims count for ‘parasitic condition – tick paralysis’ (dogs), based on customer postcode
Insurance products are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436 (Hollard) and/or PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) (from 8th May 2023 only), administered by PetSure and promoted and distributed through their authorised representatives and distribution partners. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Cover is subject to the policy terms and conditions. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to decide if a product is right for you. PDS and Target Market Determination are available from the relevant partner’s website.