Warming weather in Southern California and in all parts of the United States brings with it a renewed threat of tick paralysis in animals and people. Alpacas are not excluded from this group, and we have experienced first hand tick paralysis in a young male alpaca on our farm. Since then we are diligent in the control and treatment of ticks at the ranch.
Tick paralysis is a somewhat uncommon but potentially fatal disease that can affect virtually all warm-blooded land animals. The illness occurs when certain species of ticks inject potent toxins from their salivary glands into the host animal. The disease was first identified in Australia in 1824. Since then, more than 60 species of ticks worldwide have been identified as toxin producers.
more »