Have you seen that your dog has a wound with worms? This type of parasitosis is known as myiasis and is produced by diptera, insects with two wings, such as flies. They usually appear in wounds and ulcers and it is the way they survive, since the adult insects lay their eggs and then the larvae feed, until they grow into their adult form.
When we observe that our furry has this type of parasitic disease, it is necessary to act as soon as possible in order to prevent the larvae from continuing to cause damage, since if it is allowed to pass it can have very serious consequences. Keep reading this oneHOWTO article in which we detail How to Heal Worm Wounds in Dogs, the best treatment for myiasis, as well as many more details.
What is myiasis, worm or bug
Myiasis, commonly known as “bichera” or “worm”, is a type of parasitic infestation produced by dipterous insects, with two wings, such as flies, mosquitoes, horseflies and typical or mosquitoes. It can be difficult to identify in primary stages, especially if they are only found internally, on the other hand, it is easily identified when it occurs externally, as would be the case of a wound full of worms or larvae.
Insects parasitize vertebrate animals, being very common to find them in dogs, cats and farm animals. Specifically, insects in their adult phase reproduce and deposit their eggs in the meat of an animal, since this is how when they hatch the larvae they feed on the tissue and fluids of the host animal. The larvae continue their cycle, feeding on both living and dead tissues, until they become pupae and then adults, at which point they leave the host to continue their biological cycle.
Some most common diptera species are as follows:
- Megaselia rufipes
- Lucilia spp
- Calliphora spp
- O. ovis
- Chrysomyia albicans
- W. magnificent
- Phormia regina
- S. carnaria
- Sarcophaga spp
- Wohlfahrtia magnifica
- M. scalaris
- Rhinoestrus purpureus
- Oestrus ovis
There are species that take advantage of wounds or ulcers and others that, directly, parasitize directly through the skin or the body orifices, like ears or nose. Therefore, this problem can occur in any part of the body, the most common being the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, anal and genital region and any injured part.
The dogs that are more likely to suffer from this problem are those that live in areas with a humid climate, since this condition facilitates the reproduction of dipterans and their survival. Likewise, dogs that do not have adequate hygiene and health control, or are already sick, are more prone to myiasis.
If left untreated, other health problems will result, due to the enzymes that the larvae produce to feed themselves along with the very fact that they consume the tissues. These secondary conditions can be of different types and different levels of severity, but in a matter of a short time the dog’s life will be compromised.
How to know if my dog has myiasis
Depending on where the worms are on the skin and how many there are, it will be easier or more difficult to detect the disease. However, it is necessary to know all the signs of myiasis, in order to identify it or be able to see that it is one of the possible causes of the condition that our hairy eyelids present. Go to the vet promptly.
Symptoms of canine myiasis
- Hairless areas
- Bites
- Wounds
- Abscesses
- Boils
- Ulcers
- Discharge from wounds
- Cutaneous edema
- Skin irritation
- Constant itching and scratching
- Movement of the larvae in the skin
- Worms on the surface of wounds
- Fever
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Pain when stroking
- Nervousness and restlessness
- Licking of the affected area
In cases of parasitization in specific areas, other signs such as constant tearing and flushing may be observed, if it occurs in the eyes, frequent sneezing in the case of the nose or paranasal sinuses, or, in the case of occurrence in the ears, they would observe head movements and shaking, as well as scratching in these.
exist various types of myiasis and some of the simplest will gradually advance to become one of the most complicated and dangerous, such as the case that a cutaneous or skin disease progresses to the systemic level, affecting organs and different body systems of the dog. Therefore, it is necessary to act as soon as possible and allow the veterinarian to act according to the type of myiasis that he detects.
How Myiasis is Diagnosed in Dogs
Although we see several of the aforementioned symptoms in our faithful companion, only the veterinary specialist will be able to properly diagnose the disease and identify the causative species. The only way the specialist can diagnose it is by performing a physical examination or examination and, if necessary, you can request tests such as blood and tissue tests, especially in cases where the worms on the skin are not seen externally. Likewise, it will be necessary to identify the dipteran species in case the treatment had to be adjusted to a more specific one.
If the specialist has already confirmed that your dog suffers from maisis, it is likely that you have asked yourself “my dog has worms in a wound, so how do I cure it?” The truth is that the most advisable thing is that first the vet clean the wound well and then follow their instructions for the subsequent treatment of the wound.
How to remove worms in dog wounds – myiasis treatment
The treatment for wounds with maggots or fly larvae in dogs It should be carried out by a veterinarian, as most commonly there are other conditions caused by the larvae that have to be treated secondarily, apart from the wound itself.
Thus, regarding the main question about How to Heal Worm Wounds in Dogs, the specialist will follow a few steps, which may change according to each case, although, in general, they are usually the following:
- Anesthetize or sedate the animal or locally anesthetize the affected area, only if necessary.
- If it is necessary to access the affected area, the specialist will first have to shave the coat, use antiseptic products that disinfect the area and may even open to reach all the larvae.
- Remove the worms from the wound one by one with tweezers, carefully extracting them.
- Disinfect the area again once it is clean of worms or larvae on the skin.
- If there is necrotic or dead tissue, it will be removed with the help of a scalpel, to prevent the advance of necrosis and facilitate muscle and skin regeneration.
- Afterwards, medications such as local antibiotics will be applied, in addition to prescribing it orally for a few days, and antiparasitic products such as those known as “matabichera”, “curabichera” and “antigusanera” will be used. Products containing nitenpyram, a neonicotinoid insecticide that, in recent years, has proven to be very effective in these cases, are especially used, with the recommended minimum dose being 1 mg / kg of body weight.
- The wound will be covered with a bandage, which will be changed daily and in some cases several times a day, to control and clean the wound.
In the following days until the complete cure, vet guidelines will be followed to give the dog oral antibiotic, clean the wound well, change the bandage or even indications about taking medications necessary to treat possible secondary conditions that have arisen.
Home remedies for worms in wounds in dogs
Many people wonder if there are home remedies to cure canine myiasis, but the truth is that there are not those that serve to eliminate worms and eggs safely. Therefore, it is not recommended to use remedies in place of the above treatment. However, they can be used remedies to disinfect and heal the wound:
Home remedies to disinfect wounds in dogs
- Garlic
- Honey
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Chamomile
- Sage
- Ginger
- Echinacea
- Mint
Home remedies to heal wounds in dogs
- Sugar
- Honey
- aloe vera
- Rosehip oil
- Olive oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Castor oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Lemon essential oil
Oils, honey, sugar, aloe vera or aloe vera and garlic can be applied directly to the lesions, whereas the rest of the plants, whether their leaves, flowers or roots, should be applied as an infusion at temperature environment, using them as a wash to disinfect the area.
How to prevent myiasis in dogs
To prevent your dog from having worms or larvae on the skin through their wounds, or that they come to parasitize it directly, it is vital that check your skin frequently and your dog’s hair and also look at the areas with little or no hair, as well as the holes (tear ducts, mouth, truffle, etc.).
In addition, it will be vital that you maintain good hygiene of your furry, bathe it when necessary, brush it and follow the periodic deworming, both internally and externally. Also, if you see a wound on their skin, you will have to heal it as soon as possible and clean it until it heals to prevent it from becoming infected or infested by Diptera. Of course, to prevent any health problem or detect it in time to act, go to the…