Retrospective assessment of ophthalmic disease development in domestic dogs and cats when hospitalised with tick paralysis caused by Ixodes holocyclus

Objective To investigate the incidence and predisposing factors leading to the development of corneal ulcers and the loss of a palpebral reflex in hospitalised canine and feline patients with tick paralysis (TP). Animals studied A total of 102 dogs and 100 cats retrospectively were assessed from previously hospitalised patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed on 102 different canine and 100 different feline patients who were hospitalised for TP from October 2020–January 2022. Patient data were collected, and logistic regression was conducted to determine factors affecting the palpebral reflex and the development of corneal ulcers. Results Corneal ulcers occurred in 23/102 (22.5%) dogs during hospitalisation and were strongly associated with an incomplete palpebral reflex ipsilaterally during hospitalisation (P