16/06/2026
Gummy, a 4-year-old domestic medium hair cat, was rushed to SASH Northern Beaches after suddenly becoming weak, floppy, and struggling to breathe. She was immediately assessed by Dr Kayla Jackson (Registrar in Emergency & Critical Care), who discovered two paralysis ticks on her neck. These tiny parasites can deliver a potent neurotoxin that rapidly affects a pet’s ability to move, swallow, and breathe. Within hours, Gummy’s condition progressed to life-threatening respiratory failure. As the only residency-trained Emergency & Critical Care veterinarian on the Northern Beaches, Dr Kayla brings a high level of expertise to managing complex, life-threatening cases like Gummy’s.
Despite early treatment, her breathing muscles began to fatigue. Under the care of Dr Charlotte Saunders and Dr Jack Roche (Emergency & Critical Care Veterinarians), Gummy required intubation and ventilation to keep her alive.
Over the following days, Gummy remained critically ill. Dr Andre Grafas and Dr Benjamin Chen (Emergency & Critical Care Veterinarians), and our dedicated ICU nursing team—Vish, Vanessa, Jojo, and Catherine—provided round-the-clock care including ventilator support, tick antiserum, sedation, antibiotics, fluids, and nutritional support. Her recovery required days of advanced life support, constant reassessment, and close collaboration across the emergency and critical care team.
Gradually, and against the odds, Gummy began to improve. With careful weaning and ongoing support, she was able to breathe on her own again. By day 7, she was successfully extubated, eating independently, and starting to regain strength in her legs.
By the time Gummy was ready to go home, she was bright, mobile, and continuing to improve. Her journey highlights how quickly tick paralysis can become life-threatening, but also how, with early recognition and the right care, recovery is possible.
