MYIASIS IN DOGS.

Myiasis is a skin infestation of the coat of animals, also occurs in man. Myiasis occurs in most species including rabbit, the difference is in the species of fly that causes the infestation.

 Myiasis is also referred to as fly strike. Myiasis though seasonal ,usually occurs in animals with soiled coats due to diarrhoea, open wounds,  and urine stains.
 Myiasis in dogs occurs when the bot fly lays eggs on moist coat of dogs, the eggs hatch in 1-2 days into larvae which are actually maggots,this burrow into the coat causing irritation and pin point protrusions .

The maggots burrow into the coat of the dog causing severe discomfort, oozing wounds, inappetence with starry coat.
   The consequence of the infestation depends on timely intervention, otherwise septicemia and shock occurs. The maggots burrows deep into underlining tissue,causing severe tissue damage,irritation as a result of secretions from the maggots,this predisposes the animal to secondary bacteria infection. 

                                                                   Treatment 
 Shaving off projected points on coat, expressing the maggots out and cleaning the points.
The points can be covered with gentamycin spray,and dog given ivermectin injection.

The dog should be placed in a clean and dry environment, and environment can be sprayed with insecticides to prevent a recurrence. The dog should also be placed on cod-liver oil supplement with vitamins to hasten healing and growth of coat.