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Created page with "Also known as: '''''Rabbit Botfly — Rabbit Warble Fly''''' ==Introduction== ''Cuterebra'' spp. can infect rabbits, dogs, cats and ferrets and lead to a '''nodular lesion''' of..."
Also known as: '''''Rabbit Botfly — Rabbit Warble Fly'''''
==Introduction==
''Cuterebra'' spp. can infect rabbits, dogs, cats and ferrets and lead to a '''nodular lesion''' of the skin due to the presence of the ''Cuterebra'' spp. [[Myiasis|larvae]].
==Identification and Life Cycle==
Adult ''Cuterebra'' flies resemble the '''bumblebee''' and have vestigial mouthparts. They do not feed nor bite.
Fully-developed third-stage larvae are '''up to 45mm''', black or dark-brown, and have '''black spines''' covering their bodies. Earlier stages are much paler and sometimes white, but still have the dark spines which help with identification.
It is impossible to determine which species of ''Cuterebra'' is present by observing the larvae.
Female ''Cuterebra'' flies lay their eggs '''along rabbit runs or near rodent burrows'''. As the host brushes past, the first-stage larvae hatch instantly and crawl into the host's fur. The larvae then enter the host through its '''natural body openings'''. '''Migration''' occurs to the skin and the third-stage larvae become clinically noticeable in the subcutaneous tissue, usually in the cervical region. The larvae communicate with the air through a '''breathing hole'''. Aften about 30 days, the larvae exit the skin, fall to the soil and pupate.
'''Aberrant migration''' can occur to the brain, pharynx, nostrils and eyelids.
==Clinical Signs==
Lesion occur generally in '''late summer or autumn''' as 1-2cm nodules over the '''head, neck and trunk'''. A '''fistula''' will develop from which the larvae emerge.
There may be '''secondary infections''' and purulent material exiting the mass.
Animals are usually clinically normal, unless aberrant migration has occurred and then a range of clinical presentations is possible.
Rabbits may sometimes present with '''anorexia and weakness'''.
==Diagnosis==
Definitive diagnosis requires '''finding and identifying the larvae'''. The larvae is usually found in its third stage and will be heavily spined.
==Treatment==
Under sedation or general anaesthesia, the breathing hole in the skin should be '''enlarged''' with mosquito forceps and the larvae should be '''extracted gently'''. Care should be taken not to crush the larvae as this may lead to anaphylaxis, a chronic foreign body reaction and secondary infection.
The area should be '''flushed''' thoroughly, '''debrided''' if necessary and allowed to '''heal by granulation'''.
Oral analgesics and antibiotics may be required.
No parasiticides are approved for the treatment and control of ''Cuterebra'' and so in rabbits infections should be avoided by '''preventing contact between rabbits and flies''', either by keeping the rabbit indoors during fly season or by installing protective screens. It may be a difficult condition to prevent in dogs and cats, but the condition is '''very rare'''.
{{Learning
|flashcards = [[Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Q&A 16]]
}}
==References==
Merck and Co (2008) '''Merck Veterinary Manual''' ''Merial''
Bowman, D. (2008) '''Georgis' Parasitology for Veterinarians''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''
Harvey, R. (2009) '''A colour handbook of skin diseases of the dog and cat''' ''Manson Publishing''
[[Category:To Do - Helen]]
[[Category:To Do - Review]]
==Introduction==
''Cuterebra'' spp. can infect rabbits, dogs, cats and ferrets and lead to a '''nodular lesion''' of the skin due to the presence of the ''Cuterebra'' spp. [[Myiasis|larvae]].
==Identification and Life Cycle==
Adult ''Cuterebra'' flies resemble the '''bumblebee''' and have vestigial mouthparts. They do not feed nor bite.
Fully-developed third-stage larvae are '''up to 45mm''', black or dark-brown, and have '''black spines''' covering their bodies. Earlier stages are much paler and sometimes white, but still have the dark spines which help with identification.
It is impossible to determine which species of ''Cuterebra'' is present by observing the larvae.
Female ''Cuterebra'' flies lay their eggs '''along rabbit runs or near rodent burrows'''. As the host brushes past, the first-stage larvae hatch instantly and crawl into the host's fur. The larvae then enter the host through its '''natural body openings'''. '''Migration''' occurs to the skin and the third-stage larvae become clinically noticeable in the subcutaneous tissue, usually in the cervical region. The larvae communicate with the air through a '''breathing hole'''. Aften about 30 days, the larvae exit the skin, fall to the soil and pupate.
'''Aberrant migration''' can occur to the brain, pharynx, nostrils and eyelids.
==Clinical Signs==
Lesion occur generally in '''late summer or autumn''' as 1-2cm nodules over the '''head, neck and trunk'''. A '''fistula''' will develop from which the larvae emerge.
There may be '''secondary infections''' and purulent material exiting the mass.
Animals are usually clinically normal, unless aberrant migration has occurred and then a range of clinical presentations is possible.
Rabbits may sometimes present with '''anorexia and weakness'''.
==Diagnosis==
Definitive diagnosis requires '''finding and identifying the larvae'''. The larvae is usually found in its third stage and will be heavily spined.
==Treatment==
Under sedation or general anaesthesia, the breathing hole in the skin should be '''enlarged''' with mosquito forceps and the larvae should be '''extracted gently'''. Care should be taken not to crush the larvae as this may lead to anaphylaxis, a chronic foreign body reaction and secondary infection.
The area should be '''flushed''' thoroughly, '''debrided''' if necessary and allowed to '''heal by granulation'''.
Oral analgesics and antibiotics may be required.
No parasiticides are approved for the treatment and control of ''Cuterebra'' and so in rabbits infections should be avoided by '''preventing contact between rabbits and flies''', either by keeping the rabbit indoors during fly season or by installing protective screens. It may be a difficult condition to prevent in dogs and cats, but the condition is '''very rare'''.
{{Learning
|flashcards = [[Rabbit Medicine and Surgery Q&A 16]]
}}
==References==
Merck and Co (2008) '''Merck Veterinary Manual''' ''Merial''
Bowman, D. (2008) '''Georgis' Parasitology for Veterinarians''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''
Harvey, R. (2009) '''A colour handbook of skin diseases of the dog and cat''' ''Manson Publishing''
[[Category:To Do - Helen]]
[[Category:To Do - Review]]