 and swallowing, among others. If left untreated, some cases can even be fatal, told the California Department of Public Health. There are more than 40 different kinds of ticks, and the American dog tick is one that causes tick paralysis. I've grown up in the woods, Ruby's dad said. You see them big, and the animals are still getting around like normal, but you turn around, and one the size of a pea almost takes my daughter down. And the tick was latched to Ruby's scalp.