![Alex Johnston, Tessa Campbell, Courtney Knight, Katie Beresford and Dr James Blackshaw at Moss Vale Veterinary Hospital. Photo supplied. Alex Johnston, Tessa Campbell, Courtney Knight, Katie Beresford and Dr James Blackshaw at Moss Vale Veterinary Hospital. Photo supplied.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/190291005/f18646e5-c90d-4ef9-8276-bdb731a320b7.jpeg/r0_842_3808_3028_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A national shortage to the supply of tick anti-toxin is yet to impact Highlands pet owners.
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That was according to Dr James Blackshaw at Moss Vale Veterinary Hospital, who said his clinic had seen a decrease in tick case numbers in recent years.
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"This has been mostly attributed to better preventatives such as Bravecto, Nexgard and Simparica available on the market these days," Dr Blackshaw said.
"And pet owners have also become more educated and compliant with tick prevention."
There have been reports circulating about a chronic shortage of tick anti-toxin at veterinarians on the South Coast, Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands.
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It follows unprecedented numbers of paralysis ticks caused by recent rains and warm weather, particularly on the South Coast.
However Dr Blackshaw was keen to assure Highlands pet owners that Moss Vale Veterinary Hospital had a good supply of tick anti-toxin available.
"Our clinic currently has in stock the amount of tick serum that we would normally stock during this time of the year for our clinic and predicted tick case load," Dr Blackshaw said.
He reiterated the importance of yearly tick prevention, in particular during the spring and summer months.
"We have known paralysis tick areas within the Southern Highlands, particularly those areas south and east of Moss Vale, these include Bundanoon, Exeter, Fitzroy Falls, Wildes Meadow, Robertson and towards the coast," Dr Blackshaw said.
"We have also seen paralysis ticks in some parts of Mount Gibraltar and Lake Alexandra in Mittagong."
Dr Blackshaw said tick prevention should be mandatory for all Highlands pet owners.
"Particularly if you plan to travel to the South Coast, Sydney and especially coastal areas north of Sydney," he said.