Objective To investigate associations between clinical presentations and treatment of tick paralysis in dogs and cats, particularly the relationship between the dose of tick antiserum (TAS) and time to recovery. Design A retrospective analysis of 325 cases of tick paralysis (227 dogs, 98 cats), from 2001 to 2010, was conducted using records from six practices in Sydney, New South Wales. Results Doses of TAS in excess of 2 mL/animal, 0.30 mL/kg and 1.25 mL/tick in dogs, and 2 mL/animal, 0.45 mL/kg and 0.38 mL/tick in cats did not significantly alter the time to recovery. In dogs, a longer time to recovery was associated with cases in winter than in other seasons (P = 0.0099) and with more severe gait scores (P = 0.0002). There was a trend of longer recovery times in patients with higher respiratory scores (P = 0.0561). In cats, a longer time to recovery was associated with multiple ticks (P = 0.0133) and more severe gait scores (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Within this retrospective study, minimum doses of TAS were considered optimal, negating any association between dose rate and time to recovery.