Maggots on Dog??

[Ugogirl]

What can be used safely to kill maggots IN a small dog?  My neighbors dog was hurt on Friday.   The next day, we discovered maggots had developed on an open wound, and some were also seen around the rectom. 

Today is Sunday.  All the maggots on the outside of the dog have been killed.  Dipped the dog in Dawn/water solution that killed fleas and dislodged the maggots.  We brushed and combed until we found nothing else.

I told neighbor friend to brush and comb the dog several times a day to hopefully catch any hatched eggs from the maggots.

Using a Betadine mixture (5 parts water/1 part Betadine) on the dogs wound.

Any other suggestions??

[FP]

TAKE THE DOG TO THE VET ASAP

The dog needs proper treatment by a qualified person urgently. 

[Lindy Loo]

Well said FP. This dog needs urgent treatment and proper care. Get him to the vet NOW.

[Ugogirl]

Thank you.

Vets ofc. is in the morning.

Just was wondering if there was anything else I could do for the K-9 until then.

[Snappy]

the maggots will clean the wound

[smudge]

snappy, that may very well be so, but the most sensible thing is to take it to the vet. If it had have been my pet, I would have immediately taken it to an emergency vet, not wait until maggots appeared in the wound, poor thing!

[Peter Pedant]

Keep us posted Ugogirl

This is a condition called myiasis - which country are you in by the way? And if it is in a dog, I suppose it is canine myiasis.

Whenever I say someone's wrong I get shafted on AB, however.... I dont think Snappy is right - basically the maggots may not know when to stop - esp the rectal ones and will eat their way up an emaciated dog.

Out of interest, can you get the vet to tell you which fly he thinks they are from?

[Snappy]

i mean until it goes to the vets,they wont do any harm unless left for days!it should have been taken to the vets right after it sustained the injury!

[Ugogirl]

I do not know how to post individual answers, so here goes:

Snappy:  vet agreed with you -- maggots do clean a wound - problem occurs when left unchecked, they can do much greater damage/death.   We have gotten rid of outside infestation of maggots on the little Sheltie, now must keep the wound clean so no infection develops.   According to owner, dog 'may have been run over' on Friday.  I didn't know anything was wrong until I went over to visit on Sunday.   I then helped owner to bathe, brush, and dry the Sheltie, and insisted on putting the dog in the house -- away from any more flys!!!!  I sincerely thank you for your opinion.

smudge:  agreed -- if it were MY dog, she would have gone to vet immediately to find out what damage was done after injury was discovered.  Unfortuneately, I do not dictate what the neighbor spends on her dog, and I am not financially able to handle a $100+ for an office call, x-rays, and/or meds (I must add * * I do have 3 K-9 companions myself, and they DO go to the vet whenever the need arrises, no matter the cost).  So, I did the next best thing to help, and that was to research maggots on the internet.  What I discovered was that a solution of peroxide/water  --- OR --- a mixture of Betadine/water would get rid of the maggots and further cleanse the wound.  Both items I had at home, so elected to use the Betadine/water on the dogs wound.  I also researched and found this forum -- I asked the question here only to see if anyone had any specific knowledge to share to help out the neighbors Sheltie. 

 

[Ugogirl]

Peter Pedant:  Thank you for the information.  I live in USA - Texas.  The vet assured neighbor girl that the fly that does 'the internal dastardly deed' is not even close to our area.  I went to see the Sheltie tonight.  Doctored the wound with Betadine solution, and combed her checking for critters ... found 1 live little one - which I took care of!!  Will need to dip Sheltie again in the morning.  Sheltie is perky, moving her back legs some, but not wanting to get up yet.  Is eating sparingly, but drinking well.  Thank you for your interest/concern.

[FP]

Sorry, if I was hasty with my reply to you Ugogirl.  You are obviously doing your best to help.  I find it amazing that an owner thinks his dog 'may have been run over' and still keeps it outside and does nothing for it.  I am sure you agree.  It's a shame your neighbour didn't call on you earlier!

[Ugogirl]

Fakeplastic:  I too wish the owner would have called me Friday ... I would have taken care of Lady that day!  Went to the vets on my lunch time today and bought some antibotics, began them soon as I got to her house at noon.  Lady still drinking water, but not eating.  Vet said the antibotics should help some on that. She is not as perky as yesterday, and seemed 'stove up'.  I realize she has good reason to not want to get up and boogie, but I did some gentle leg/paw flexing (called 'range of motion' in the health field) anyhow to keep everything moving and loose.  She can move her legs, and doesn't appear to be in any pain when I'm moving her around, she is just not doing any weight bearing at this time.  I combed her good while there, and didn't find any more critters today.  Will keep you advised. 

[Ugogirl]

To ALL:  Follow-up on Sheltie

Been a week now since origional injury.  Was much more perky when I doctored her last night.  Has been eating as of Thursday.  Pooping and peeing.  Moving legs alot now.

In changing her from one side to the other last night, she didn't want to switch, so she placed her back feet out to block the change.  Actually held her own weight up for about 30 seconds, then seemed tired, so Iet me lay her down.

If anyone is still interested in a follow-up in 4-5 days, let me know.  Otherwise, thank you for your different inputs.

[FP]

Yes do let us know.  Has the vet actually seen her?  I am sure she needs to be seen.  I know you are doing your very best, but something might be broken or there may be internal injuries.

[Ugogirl]

Fakeplastic:  No, no vet visit.  I do understand what you are saying, though.  Prayer has to be my answer.

Good news is that Lady took 3-4 steps (with me holding a towel for support that was looped under her belly) on Sunday!!  I have kept the Sheltie here with me since Friday.  She got a good bath that night.  I made sure to dry her off, doctor the wound, place her on clean towel after her supper, then giving her the antibotic pill (twice daily), ending the evening with a super pet job.  This is  our twice daily routine, except she doesn't get a full  bath daily, just her butt cause she has scooted around in poop (wound is high on her back, so keeps out of the floor stuff).

Eventho I have a full time job myself, I still have more time to take care of Lady, than her owner (she is gone at odd times for 1-2 days at a time, driving a charter bus).  That is why she let me bring Lady to my house to care for her. 

Sheltie is eating very well now, and moving around more.

Today is Monday.  When I took her out to pee before I left for work, I lightly held the 'support towel' and was overjoyed that she took about 10 steps (looking for the right place to pee, don't cha know!)  This pm, she took more steps looking for the 'right place'!!  Is slow and unsteady, but was sure footed, nonetheless.

I know her healing will take awhile yet, and I can see she is making a little progress each day.  I view this time as rehab efforts.  She is good to work with, and I don't mind taking care of her.  While I don't need a 4th K9 at my home, I would accept her if the opportunity presents itself. 

[lovinggrouch]

At the feed store you can buy a can of screw worm areosol. It is a blue spray they use on calves to keep the flys from laying eggs on the navel. I had a dog with maggot, the really big ones in his butt area. Found this on the internet and bought it and used it and it worked. I had to squeez some of them to the top to get them out with tweezers. I then used peroxide to keep away infection. This was like 10 year ago. I have used it many times since then. I have had 16 dogs at a time, dumped dogs. I can't afford the vet so try to remedy the best I can. Only something extreme gets them to the vet. They have shelter, food , water and that gets hard. Tryed to get help from several organizations , even spca, nothing. I am now down to 6 dogs. Some I found homes for. I just do the best I can with what I have.

[lovinggrouch]

At feed store by screw worn areosol. It is a blue spray in a can that is used on calves to keep flies from laying eggs on the navel. I found out about it on the web when one of my dogs had them in the butt area. I then squeezed the worm up to pull out with tweezers. I used peroxide to ward off infection. I have way too many dogs to take them all to the vet. Thanks to dog dumpers.