Ask Dr. Dave - Maggot Season
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We all celebrate the Holiday season,
changing of the seasons, wedding season and cherry season. We don’t
celebrate tax season or, in our line of work , maggot season.
Maggots, or fly larvae (usually blowflies) , are small, cream colored,
wormlike disgusting little creatures with specialized mouth parts,
including hooks which they use to pierce skin and lap up liquids. Any
animals are susceptible to Myiasis (maggots) but sheep, rabbits and
obese dogs are the major players. Pets confined to the outdoors, those
with dense coats, those who are debilitated and can’t turn and lick and
those who are infirm should be checked regularly as most eggs will hatch
in 24 hours and the feast begins. Maggots like moisture so matted,
moist, urine or feces retaining hair, wool or coat are prime areas for
maggot infestation.
Open wounds or areas already harboring
skin infection are also opportune. Most maggots only feed on dead or
dying tissue but, some don’t know when to stop and start chewing on
healthy tissue. Treatment is to shave the infected area and physically
remove the maggots, which is a tedious chore as they must be removed one
by one and are often found under the skin as well as on top. Use of
insecticides is not recommended on debilitated pets. In severe cases,
removal of dead skin must be done and, occasionally, skin grafts are
required. The secretions given off by the maggots can also cause pets to
become septic. Obviously, the best treatment for a pet that has been
afflicted by myiasis is to get them prompt veterinary attention. If you
have an older debilitated pet, keep them indoors as much as possible,
clean and check them often and do not let their skin remain moist. If
you see, hear or smell anything odd, check your pet immediately. Maggot
infestation smells, you can certainly see them and, in large
infestations, you can hear them chewing.
As always, feel free to contact me
with questions and concerns and in the summer months (and all year
round), be good to your pets.
Dr.Dave Gantenbein
Antelope Valley Animal Hospital
661 273-1234
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