Ticks have become the number one parasite concern for Australian dog owners, according to new research commissioned by Elanco for Seresto™, as veterinarians warn of the continued spread of the potentially deadly tick-borne disease ehrlichiosis ahead of tick season.

The survey1 conducted in partnership with Pureprofile of more than 1,000 Australian dog owners found more than one-third (36%) identified ticks as the parasite they were most concerned about. Almost one in three (29%) were extremely or very concerned about paralysis ticks and brown dog ticks where they live, while a further 24% said they were somewhat concerned.

Dr Liisa Ahlstrom, Technical Veterinarian at Elanco for Seresto, says “concern about ticks is well founded, particularly as veterinarians continue to see the spread of ehrlichiosis, a serious and potentially fatal bacterial disease transmitted by infected brown dog ticks.”

"Pet owners understand ticks are dangerous, but many don't realise there are different species of ticks and that some can transmit life-threatening diseases such as ehrlichiosis," says Dr Ahlstrom. 

Ehrlichiosis is transmitted by infected brown dog ticks. It can cause fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and weight loss before progressing to bleeding disorders, organ damage and life-threatening septicaemia. There is currently no vaccine, treatment can be lengthy and very costly, and since first being detected in Australia in 2020 the disease has continued to spread into new regions with prevalence of the disease increasing.

The research also found Australians are travelling more with their dogs, increasing the potential for exposure to ticks and tick-borne diseases such as ehrlichiosis. More than half of dog owners (54%) now take their dog on holidays. At the same time, parasite concerns are already influencing travel decisions, with 35% avoiding certain regions and one in four (25%) skipping outdoor activities such as camping because of concerns about parasite exposure.

Dr Ahlstrom says, "Prevention is more important than ever because ticks are expanding into new areas and dogs are travelling further with their families. The best protection starts before a tick has the chance to bite."

Dr Ahlstrom acknowledges that many pet owners don't realise that not all tick products work in the same way. "Many products kill ticks only after they've attached and bitten. Unfortunately, ehrlichiosis can be transmitted within just a few hours of an infected brown dog tick attaching to a dog, so preventing the bite in the first place is critical.

“Pet owners should speak with their vet about tick products that repel ticks before they bite, like the Seresto dog collar. This is particularly important if they live in or are travelling to brown dog tick regions. Choosing the right form of protection can help reduce the risk of disease transmission."

With one in three Australian dog owners already highly concerned about ticks, veterinarians say this year's prolonged humidity, above-average rainfall and flooding have created ideal breeding conditions for ticks. Paralysis tick season typically begins along Australia's east coast between August and September, while brown dog ticks remain active year-round across northern Australia.

Seresto® collar for dogs is the only tick product proven and registered to reduce the transmission of tick-borne diseases, including ehrlichiosis. By repelling and killing ticks on contact before they need to bite, Seresto helps reduce the risk of disease transmission while providing up to 8 months protection against fleas and paralysis ticks and 4 months protection against brown dog ticks and tick-borne diseases. It is an odourless and water-resistant collar.