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For the first time, University of Queensland scientists have been able to make a prediction about the severity of upcoming tick seasons to help vet surgeries and pet owners prepare.

A team led by Professor Stephen Barker at UQ's School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences has been studying the link between the weather and the number of tick paralysis cases in dogs and cats and has used historical data to build a model. The research was published in Veterinary Parasitology.

"This is the first year we've been able to make a prediction, based on firm data, of the likely number of tick paralysis cases in the 2024 season," Professor Barker said.

"Previous studies have established that the tick risk to pets in any spring and summer period in eastern Australia is linked to the weather the previous summer when eggs were laid.

"If it is hot and dry many will die but if it is mild and wet, many will survive to reach hatch maturity the following spring. That's when ticks are looking for hosts and are the most dangerous for pets and people."

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