During these months Australia will be in tick season, with your pooches skin the perfect spot for the deadly paralysis tick.

Animal health company Merial has supported a systematic tick mapping study that formulated a list of areas in NSW classed as hotspots for the small arachnids.

Professor Stephen Barker charted the postcodes where at least 50 cases of tick paralysis were reported by veterinarians between October 2010 and April 2015.

Port Macquarie joined fellow Mid North Coast town Coffs Harbour on the list.

During that four and a half year period Port Macquarie had 256 cases while Coffs reported a whopping 932, the most in the state.

Port Macquarie veterinarian Lara Viney said there are two keys to protecting your pets wellbeing.

“Using a good quality tick prevention product is the first important rule,” she said.

“The second is to perform daily checks on your pet to ensure no ticks have attached themselves.

“Even if your pet is on the best tick prevention product, you should still be searching.

“They still need to attach before they die, so a tick may latch on even with prevention products being used.”

Dr Viney believes oral medication is a popular choice for owners with animals who swim.

If you find a tick it is important to remove it as soon as possible. It’s not recommended to put anything on the tick or the animal’s skin.

“Around the head and neck area is the best area for ticks to attach, so that is a starting point when doing daily searches,” Dr Viney said.

“If your pet is showing any signs of compromise then the best thing to do is call your vet.

“The most common signs are a weakness, usually starting in the back legs, difficulty breathing and vomiting.

“The sooner the animal is treated the better the chance of a positive outcome.”