Cheeto the kitten came in to see us for the removal of a cuterebra (fly larvae) last Saturday. While gross and reminiscent of the parts of scary movies where I usually cover my eyes, cuterebra are rather common, especially in mid- to late summer up north and nearly year-round in the southern states. The fly lays eggs on grass near small mammals, and the larvae hatch, crawl onto the host and enter through the nearest orifice. From there, they travel through the internal tissue to the skin where they make a small bump with a tiny breathing hole. (This is usually the part where the pet owner becomes aware their animal is an unwitting host!) About thirty days later, the host gives birth to a maggot, Alien-style, which then burrows into the soil to pupate then start the whole process over again as an adult fly.
Cheeto is doing fine and we have permission to show video footage of Dr. Rachel and Amy performing the procedure.
Cheeto is doing fine and we have permission to show video footage of Dr. Rachel and Amy performing the procedure.