Hub City Times

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • Home
  • News
    • Around the County
    • Arts & Ent
    • Education
    • Government
    • Local
    • Police / Sheriff Calls
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Coming Events
  • Business
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
  • Military Photos
  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

logo

Hub City Times

  • Home
  • News
    • Around the County
    • Arts & Ent
    • Education
    • Government
    • Local
    • Police / Sheriff Calls
  • Covid 19
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
  • Coming Events
  • Business
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
  • Military Photos
Health
Home›Health›Larval myiasis: What is bugging your pet

Larval myiasis: What is bugging your pet

By Hub City Times
September 19, 2017
488
0
Share:
Krogstad

By Dr. Roger Krogstad, DVM

Wildwood Animal Hospital and Clinic LLC

In the warm months of summer, insect populations explode, especially flies — big flies, little flies, fruit flies, blue bottle flies, every sort of fly for every occasion. The sad reality is for some of these flies, their food source may be your pet.

Any small wound or sore, any wet matted hair or fur, or any feces stuck to a pet may attract flies to lay their eggs. When the eggs hatch, small maggots emerge and begin to feed on the infected areas. Some are able to borrow into the wound or healthy tissue and create a deep pocket of larval infestation, known as larval myiasis. Some will even penetrate natural orifices such as the nostrils or rectum.

With long-haired dogs or relatively free living outdoor pets, this condition can quickly become overwhelming as hundreds or thousands of eggs may be on the damaged tissue. For these susceptible pets, proper wound management, observation, professional grooming, and even short vacations indoors can prevent this severe condition.

We have recently seen an increase in the number of young pets, both cats and dogs, presenting with a swollen area of skin with a small hole in the center. Close observation would show movement in this small hole that is the temporary home of a fly larva of the cuterebra family. This large larva lives in the skin pocket feeding off tissue fluids until it is fully mature and pops out to later become a large, blue-bodied fly. This fly will then lay larvae onto another small pet or rodent, and the process starts all over again.

Veterinarians are skilled in removing these larvae intact before they reach the emerging stage and can assist with wound management of the site. Ask your veterinarian about proper wound management, and have your pet treated immediately if maggots are seen in a wound or crawling in and out of the rectum.

There may be sprays or oral medications available at your veterinary office to treat the early stages of larval infestation. Advanced cases may require hospitalization and possibly anesthesia to treat the wound or manually remove embedded larvae.

Again, prevention is always the best course. Closely monitor those outdoor pets, especially the older, debilitated, or injured ones, to prevent this maggot mania.

Wildwood Animal Hospital and Clinic LLC is located at 210 Airpark Road in Marshfield and online at wildwoodanimalhospital.net.

Tagsanimal healthDr. Roger KrogstadFeaturedLarval myiasispet healththe vet's officevet's officeveterinarianWildwood Animal Hospital and Clinic LLC
Previous Article

American Legion looks to add outdoor event ...

Next Article

Amherst/Iola-Scandinavia/Rosholt sends Columbus Catholic soccer to first ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Faith Lutheran Church
    Local

    Faith Lutheran to host gathering for Wesley United

    September 5, 2018
    By Hub City Times
  • Local

    Marshfield woman charged with battery, disorderly conduct

    January 23, 2016
    By Hub City Times
  • Marshfield School Board candidate Dan Wald
    Opinion

    Letter to the editor: Reader endorses Dan Wald for school board

    February 14, 2016
    By Hub City Times
  • bryan anthony Nelson Riddle Orchestra LuCille Tack Center for the Arts big band
    Arts & Entertainment

    Nelson Riddle Orchestra to perform at LuCille Tack Center

    October 12, 2015
    By Hub City Times
  • Local

    Photos From Maple Fall Fest

    September 13, 2014
    By Hub City Times
  • Daulton Varsho, a 2014 Marshfield High School graduate and current player for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team, was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 68th overall pick Monday in the Major League Baseball Draft.
    Sports

    Marshfield grad Daulton Varsho selected by Arizona Diamondbacks

    June 14, 2017
    By Hub City Times

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

About Us


Hub City Times is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981.

Timeline

  • January 23, 2021

    MACCI turns 75: Part III Changing names

  • January 21, 2021

    DNR confirms CWD in Wood County, renews baiting and feeding bans

  • January 20, 2021

    City seeks candidates for ethics board

  • January 19, 2021

    Marshfield Clinic scheduling COVID vaccinations to those 65 and older

  • January 19, 2021

    Wood County deputy and K-9 partner recognized

Find us on Facebook

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels, All Rights Reserved. Designed by MMC Team Awesome
×