I’ve had an official heads-up from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI): there have been two probable detections of the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) in Queensland — one around Townsville, and one in South-East Queensland.
This tick is exotic to Australia (not one of our usual locals). The key point: it’s not considered established here. But DPI is taking it seriously because if an exotic tick does get a foothold, it can be very hard to wind back later — and Queensland’s climate could potentially suit it.
So this is a “be aware and keep your eyes open” situation — not a “set your house on fire” situation.
Why DPI cares (and why you should too)
Biosecurity is basically early detection + fast action. If something exotic is spotted early, there’s a chance to contain it before it spreads. If it spreads quietly for long enough, it becomes “normal”, and then we’re stuck managing it forever.
Ticks are particularly good at sneaking in under the radar because they:
- hitchhike on animals (and sometimes people)
- spend a lot of time off-host in the environment
- can be hard to identify unless you’re looking closely
What is the American dog tick, exactly?
Overseas, the American dog tick is known for two big things:
- It’s a three-host tick (larva → nymph → adult each feed on different hosts).
Which is honestly a bit rude. One host wasn’t enough? Greedy. - It can attach to a wide range of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, cattle, wildlife, and humans.
It tends to like vegetated environments (think grass, scrub, bush edges), which is part of why DPI wants everyone on alert.
The three-host lifecycle (the bit that explains why they spread so well)
Ticks don’t live their whole lives glued to your dog. Most of their time is spent in the environment, waiting for a host to wander past.
A simplified version looks like this:
- Eggs hatch in the environment (leaf litter/vegetation).
- Larva (“seed tick”) climbs vegetation, grabs a host, feeds, then drops off.
- Nymph does the same thing: finds a host, feeds, drops off.
- Adult finds a host, feeds, mates, then the female drops off and lays eggs.
Because each stage can feed on a different host, a tick can effectively “network” its way through an area: wildlife → pet → another pet → human → etc. I know. Greedy and organised.
“Does it cause paralysis like our paralysis tick?”
Potentially, yes — overseas it’s been associated with tick paralysis. It’s also known overseas as a vector for some serious diseases (e.g., Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularaemia, and others).
Important nuance from DPI: those overseas diseases are not currently present in Australia. The bigger immediate concern is biosecurity (keeping an exotic tick from establishing here). But from a pet owner perspective, the practical take-home is the same: ticks are never a “wait and see” parasite.
How to tell it apart from the usual suspects (without becoming a tick nerd)
Most people don’t need to become tick taxonomists overnight. But you can get a quick “hmm, that’s odd” signal — and that’s the whole point here.
Use this comparison table
Quick plain-English cues
- American dog tick: often has white/silver-grey markings on the back plate (scutum).
- Brown dog tick: tends to look more uniformly brown (less “patterned”).
- Paralysis tick: different shape/colour again, and it’s the one we worry about most for rapid clinical deterioration in pets.
A quick reality check: engorged ticks can look weird and blob-like regardless of species, so if it looks unusual, don’t overthink it — just preserve it and contact your vet.
Where do ticks hide on pets?
If you’re doing tick checks (and you should), don’t just pat the back and call it a day. Common hiding spots include:
- inside/around the ears
- under collars/harness straps
- under the chin and around the lips
- armpits and groin
- between toes
- around the tail base
What I want you to do if you find a weird-looking tick
Keep it simple:
- Remove the tick safely (fine-tipped tweezers or a tick tool; steady pull).
- Save it in a small container or zip-lock bag (a photo helps too).
- Contact your vet (or contact me) and tell us where you were when you think your pet picked it up.
That’s it. No lab forms, no complicated submission steps on your end — just preserve it and get in touch.
Prevention (the boring part that saves lives)
Even with “perfect” products, nothing is 100% — which is why I’m annoyingly consistent about two things:
- Stay on a reliable tick preventative, and don’t drift on timing.
- Do hands-on tick checks, especially after bushy walks or time in long grass.
I’ve seen how unforgiving timing can be first-hand — being only slightly late can still matter. So if you’re the kind of person who knows you’ll forget monthly dosing (no judgement), it’s worth choosing a plan that doesn’t rely on perfect memory.
If you want help picking something that fits your pet and your actual life (not your fantasy life where you remember everything), book in and we’ll sort it.
references
Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) 2026, Biosecurity alert: probable detection of American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) in Queensland (email to veterinarians), April 2026, Queensland Government.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2024, Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), CDC, viewed April 2026, https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/tickbornediseases/tickID.html
Merck Veterinary Manual 2025, Ticks (Ixodidae) in dogs and cats, Merck & Co., Inc., viewed April 2026, https://www.merckvetmanual.com
Australian Museum 2025, Paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus), Australian Museum, viewed April 2026, https://australian.museum/learn/animals/spiders/paralysis-tick/
