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Apparent Ixodes tick paralysis in a cat from North America
Cheri M Honnas1, Jillian M Athey1, Guilherme G Verocai2
1Emergency and Critical Care Services, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
JFMS Open Reports
|October 29, 2020
Summary
A domestic cat in North America experienced acute tick paralysis. Prompt tick removal and treatment led to a full recovery, highlighting a rare occurrence of this condition in the USA.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Tick paralysis is a rare neurological disorder in cats, primarily associated with *Ixodes holocyclus* in Australia.
- Differential diagnoses for acute flaccid paralysis in cats include toxicity, botulism, and polyradiculoneuritis.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old castrated male domestic longhair cat presented with acute, diffuse, flaccid paralysis.
- Physical examination revealed an engorged adult female *Ixodes* species tick on the ventral neck.
- Initial diagnostic tests, including radiography, blood work, and specific antibody titers, were unremarkable.
Findings:
- The cat was treated with topical fipronil and (S)-methoprene following tick removal.
- Complete motor function recovery occurred within 48 hours post-treatment.
- The cat resumed all normal activities five days after tick removal.
Implications:
- This case represents the first reported instance of acute tick paralysis in a domestic cat in North America.
- It expands the known geographic range and host species affected by tick paralysis.
- Highlights the importance of considering tick-borne diseases in cats presenting with neurological deficits, even outside endemic regions.
