Tick paralysis in two llamas

An 18-month-old sexually intact male llama and a 7-month-old female llama were examined because of weakness, lethargy, and recumbency. Both had signs of ascending motor paralysis with minimal or no afferent sensory loss. Tick paralysis was diagnosed on the basis of complete clinical recovery following removal of a single, attached and engorged female tick (Dermacentor andersoni) from each llama. The male llama recovered within a few hours after removal of the tick, but recovery in the female llama required several days. Serum creatine kinase activity was high in both llamas, possibly as a result of direct effects of toxin on muscles or nerves.