When Tax Evasion Got Caught

Tax Evasion, a much-loved indoor–outdoor cat, alarmed her owners after several days of lethargy, not eating or drinking, and developing an odd, weak-sounding meow. She spent an extended period hiding under the bed, signalling that something was wrong.

When she was brought in for consultation, her owners did not expect a tick to be the cause. Neither they nor Tax Evasion had travelled to the coast. However, a paralysis tick was found during the consultation, much to everyone’s surprise.

At presentation, Tax Evasion showed increased respiratory effort and was unable to walk using her hind legs, both serious signs of paralysis tick toxicity. She was admitted immediately and treated with prompt tick removal, tick antiserum, oxygen support, and intravenous fluids.

Living next door to a bush reserve and enjoying outdoor adventures placed Tax Evasion at risk, highlighting that paralysis ticks can be encountered closer to home than many people realise. The changing landscape of paralysis tick habitat has led to increasing numbers of ticks being identified in the ACT each year, placing local pets at growing risk.

Within 24 hours of treatment, Tax Evasion showed encouraging improvement and is now doing well and recovering at home. Her case is a timely reminder that subtle changes in behaviour or mobility should never be ignored, and that paralysis ticks can pose a serious threat even without coastal travel.