Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fly larvae infestation in three Malaysian dogs treated with spinosad
By Han, Hock Siew et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2017·Han Veterinary Surgery·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Chrysomya bezziana (Diptera: Calliphoridae) infestation: case report of three dogs in Malaysia treated with spinosad/milbemycin.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Three dogs in Malaysia were found to have a serious infestation of fly larvae in their wounds, caused by a type of fly known as Chrysomya bezziana. The dogs were treated with a combination of two medications, spinosad and milbemycin, which effectively killed all the larvae within eight hours. Remarkably, the treatment worked without needing any sedation or surgery, and the dead larvae could be easily flushed away. All three dogs recovered well after this treatment.
People also search for: dog fly larvae treatment · dog wound care · spinosad milbemycin for dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Infestation of wounds with the larvae of Callophorid flies is relatively common in countries where these parasites are found. The most common species associated with infections in Southeast Asia is Chrysomya bezziana (Ch. bezziana), the Old World screw worm. Treatment consists of either subcutaneous injection of ivermectin or oral administration of nitenpyram combined with aggressive tissue debridement under general anaesthesia. OBJECTIVES: To describe the treatment of cutaneous myiasis in three dogs caused by the larvae of Ch. bezziana in Malaysia and their treatment with spinosad plus milbemycin. RESULTS: In all dogs, a single oral dose of spinosad plus milbemycin at the recommended dosage of 31-62 mg/kg and 0.5-1.0 mg/kg, respectively, was able to kill all larvae within 8 h. Most dead larvae fell off the host and those remaining on the host were dead and easily removed with simple saline flushing and gentle debridement. Neither general anaesthesia nor aggressive mechanical debridement were needed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Oral spinosad plus milbemycin is a safe, licensed and effective treatment at the recommended dose for the rapid elimination of Ch. bezziana myiasis, with no need for sedation or anaesthesia.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27918123/