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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Presumptive tick paralysis in 2 American Miniature horses in...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2019; 33(4); 1784-1788; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15540

Presumptive tick paralysis in 2 American Miniature horses in the United States.

Abstract: Tick paralysis has not been reported in horses in North America. Results: Two American Miniature horses were examined for progressive weakness and recumbency. Numerous ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) were found on both horses. Horse 1 was recumbent (grade 5/5 gait deficit) on presentation, whereas Horse 2 was standing but ataxic (grade 4/5 gait deficit) and tetraparetic. Both horses had decreased tongue and tail muscle tone, and had normal spinal reflexes. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology was normal. Equine herpesvirus-1 testing was negative. Unassigned: Ticks were removed within 24 hours of presentation. Both horses were treated topically with permethrin. Supportive care included fluid therapy, treatment for corneal ulceration, and frequent repositioning during recumbency. Results: Within 48 hours of tick removal, both horses were neurologically normal. Conclusions: Ours is the first reported case of presumptive tick paralysis in horses in North America. Although rare, tick paralysis should be considered in horses presented with acute-onset weakness progressing to recumbency.
© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2019-06-03 PubMed ID: 31161701PubMed Central: PMC6639494DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15540Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The paper reports the first cases of presumptive tick paralysis in two American Miniature horses in North America, a condition not previously documented in the region. Following the removal of ticks and application of treatment, both horses showed rapid and complete recovery.

Research Context

  • This research takes place in North America, where tick paralysis in horses hadn’t been reported before.
  • The subjects of the study were two American Miniature horses demonstrating progressive weakness and recumbency.
  • Despite the reported symptoms, examinations revealed normal spinal reflexes and cerebrospinal fluid cytology in both horses. Additionally, both were tested negative for Equine herpesvirus-1.

Detailed Findings

  • On a deeper examination, numerous ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) were found on both the horses. The severity of the condition was different for the two: the first horse was unable to stand (grade 5/5 gait deficit), while the second one could stand but demonstrated unsteady movement (grade 4/5 gait deficit) and weakness in all four limbs (tetraparesis).
  • The observed symptoms also included decreased tongue and tail muscle tone in both horses.

Treatment and Results

  • Upon discovering the ticks, they were removed within 24 hours. Both horses were also treated topically with a Deltamethrin-based product.
  • Besides the direct treatment of tick impact, supportive care was administered. This includes fluid therapy, treatment for corneal ulceration, and frequent repositioning of the recumbent horse.
  • These measures proved successful. Within 48 hours of tick removal and treatments, both horses were neurologically normal.

Conclusions

  • The cases described in this report represents the first documented tick paralysis in horses in North America.
  • In view of this finding, the authors advocate that despite its rarity, tick paralysis should be considered as a potential diagnosis in horses showing acute-onset weakness progressing to inability to stand.

Cite This Article

APA
Trumpp KM, Parsley AL, Lewis MJ, Camp JW, Taylor SD. (2019). Presumptive tick paralysis in 2 American Miniature horses in the United States. J Vet Intern Med, 33(4), 1784-1788. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15540

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 4
Pages: 1784-1788

Researcher Affiliations

Trumpp, Kelsey M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Parsley, Ashley L
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Lewis, Melissa J
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Camp, Joseph W
  • Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana.
Taylor, Sandra D
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, Indiana.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Corneal Ulcer / therapy
  • Corneal Ulcer / veterinary
  • Dermacentor / pathogenicity
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Insecticides / administration & dosage
  • Permethrin / administration & dosage
  • Tick Paralysis / diagnosis
  • Tick Paralysis / therapy
  • Tick Paralysis / veterinary
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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  4. Deng Y-P, Fu Y-T, Elsheikha HM, Cao M-L, Zhu X-Q, Wang J-L, Zhang X, Xie S-C, Yao C, Liu G-H. Comprehensive analysis of the global impact and distribution of tick paralysis, a deadly neurological yet fully reversible condition. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024 Dec 10;37(4):e0007424.
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  5. Kirby AM, Evans EP, Bishop SJ, Lloyd VK. Establishment and range expansion of Dermacentor variabilis in the northern Maritimes of Canada: Community participatory science documents establishment of an invasive tick species. PLoS One 2023;18(10):e0292703.
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