Maggots & Dogs

Maggot infestation can sometimes be difficult to treat.

Dealing with maggots on your pet can be challenging and frustrating. According to Pet Place, the term used to describe a maggot infestation is myiasis. Maggots are parasites that appear on the skin and feed on dead or decaying tissue. Dogs that have draining wounds, skin infections or urine and fecal stained hair are especially susceptible to myiasis, according to Pet Place.

Maggots

Maggots that are found on pets are usually larva that comes from blowflies, according to Pet Place. After the blowfly lays eggs on the damaged tissue, the eggs usually hatch within 24 hours, assuming the environment is ripe for breeding (warm and moist). After the maggots have feasted on the decaying tissue for 5 to 7 days, they leave the dog and enter the soil, returning as adult flies a few days later.

Diagnosis

Observing maggots attached to the dog's skin or wounds is usually enough to make a diagnosis maggot infestation. Fly eggs are small, white and sticky. After the eggs have hatched, small, tube-shaped worms appear on the skin, usually the size of a rice grain, according to Pet Place.

Treatment

Maggots can usually only be removed by shaving the dog's hair and removing the visible maggots one by one. Maggots have buried themselves underneath the skin must be destroyed with mild insecticides. After the maggots are removed, the damaged skin must be left alone to heal.

Prevention

Keeping the dog's skin and wounds clean and treated can prevent myiasis. Open wounds should be inspected and covered on a daily basis. In addition, the dog's hair should remain free of urine and feces stains. Pets that are extremely weak and injured should remain indoors.

Considerations

In cases where a significant amount of skin has been damaged due to maggot infestation, skin grafts may be necessary. In severe cases of myiasis, large sections of the skin may die and need to be removed. In addition, myiasis should be treated promptly and thoroughly, with the guidance of a skilled veterinarian.

References

• Pet Place: Myiasis (Maggots) in Dogs