Botflies are a type of parasitic insect that can infect various animals including cats, dogs, and even humans. These unwelcome parasites usually infect wild animals, but domestic pets can contract them if they spend time outdoors, particularly near areas with rabbits and rodents. The larvae enter the body through an orifice such as the nose, mouth, or open wound, and then migrate through the body’s tissues until they reach the skin, where they set up their new home. This creates a lump under the skin, usually called a warble, and the larvae create a breathing pore on the surface of the skin. Once the maggots mature, usually after about 30 days, they exit from the skin and drop to the ground where they pupate in the soil to emerge as adult botflies to start the cycle again.
The rabbit or rodent botfly from the Cuterebridae family are the most common types of botfly that infest pets. The botfly lays about five to 15 eggs in nests and blades of grass near burrows. The eggs hatch in response to the body heat of a nearby potential host. These maggots latch onto animals entering through an orifice on the animal’s body, such as the nose, mouth, and occasionally, an open wound. The botflies are found across most of North America and most commonly infest rabbits and rodents in late spring and summer.
The most obvious sign of a botfly larvae infestation is a lump under your cat’s skin once the larvae have grown bigger. A small breathing hole can also be seen in the center of the lump, which gets bigger as the warble fully matures and gets ready to emerge. In some cases, the infestation goes unnoticed until the larvae have left, and the empty cyst turns into an abscess or becomes infected. Other signs that might occur are respiratory, ophthalmic, or neurological issues.
Respiratory signs include shortness of breath, sneezing, and fever. Neurological signs include lying down more than usual, circling, dizziness, and paralysis. Ophthalmic (eye) signs can include lesions if the larvae migrate to the eye and blindness. Signs on the skin include a lump with a breathing hole, excessive grooming at the site of the infection, and movement from the larvae within the lump.
Cats that spend a lot of time outdoors, particularly those that hunt rodents and rabbits, are most at risk of botfly larvae infestations. If you have an indoor cat and another pet that goes outside, the indoor cat might become infested by the larvae attached to the outdoor pet’s fur.
If you suspect that your cat has a warble, take them straight to the vet, and do not attempt to pull it out yourself. This is putting your cat’s life at risk. How a cat is treated for warbles depends on what stage it is currently in. The vet will start with a local anesthetic and extract the maggots if the larvae are still under the skin. The vet will debride the area to ensure that no parts of the larvae or infected skin are left behind, as these can cause a secondary infection and further complications. If the larvae are still in the migration stage, your vet will likely prescribe an anti-parasite medication, which will eradicate any larvae in your cat’s body. If the larvae are in a difficult-to-reach area, surgery might be necessary, which will mean a longer recovery time. If there’s an infection present, antibiotics will be prescribed.
The easiest way to prevent a botfly infestation in your cat is to keep them inside as an indoor-only cat. That said, giving your cat flea, tick, and heartworm preventative treatments might help prevent the larvae from developing in your cat or kill the larvae before they enter one of the cat’s orifices. However, this isn’t a guarantee. If you live in an area where there are many rabbits and rodents, inspect your cat carefully whenever they come inside from outdoors. The earlier you spot the problem, the better the outcome for your cat.
In conclusion, botflies are a common and disturbing parasite that you should be aware of as a pet owner. These parasites can cause complications and pose a serious risk to your cat’s health if not treated promptly. To prevent botfly infestations, consider keeping your cat indoors, inspect them regularly, and give them preventative treatments as directed by your vet. If you notice a warble, bring your cat to the vet for treatment without delay.
