08/05/2024
Our TNR kitty from the trailer park who was named ”Moo” by his caretakers did well with his surgery. Now, I’m sure many of you were wondering what exactly caused the injury he had.
If you guessed a Warble, you were correct!
Warbles, also referred to as botfly larvae, are parasitic insects that can infect cats. The Cuterebra fly, a large non-feeding fly, lays its eggs near animal burrows, nests, or vegetation.
Infestations typically occur around the head and neck because the cat may have approached a burrow containing the eggs. After hatching, the larva can be ingested during grooming, enter through the mouth or nostrils, or through an open wound, creating a lesion beneath the skin.
The larva creates a small breathing hole in the skin and resides there without feeding on the host. In its advanced stage, it can reach the size of the first joint of a thumb and appears light tan in color.
About a month after infestation, the larva exits the skin to pupate and eventually emerges as an adult fly, restarting the cycle. The duration of its stay in the ground varies depending on seasonal factors.
YUCK!! 🤢
Moo ended up receiving a Convenia inj. and the wound was debrided, cleaned, and will heal with second intention healing. He’s estimated to be around 6 years old and was returned back to his original location today and was so happy to be back.
Thank you to all that donated! His bill ended up being $133 due to the cost of Convenia. ❤️