How to get rid of parasitic buffalo flies in dogs

You notice that your pet dog often scratches the raised bumps on the skin and discovered buffalo fly larvae parasitic on the dog’s body, so what should you do now? While there are many home remedies available, the best approach is still to take your dog to the vet. They can get rid of this parasite easily and safely to make your dog as comfortable as ever. The sooner you treat it, the better for your dog. That’s why we’ve put together in this article a thorough step-by-step guide to identifying and preventing parasitic bovine flies, including ways your veterinarian can remove the parasite from the skin. dog. Read on to keep your four-legged friend safe!

Table of Contents

Identifying parasitic buffalo flies

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Look or feel for swelling underneath the dog’s skin. When the parasitic buffalo flies enter the dog’s skin, they form visible lumps about 1 cm in size. If the dog has long hair that covers the lumps, you can still feel it when you stroke the dog’s coat. These lumps are mostly concentrated around the face or neck, as the parasitic buffalo flies enter through openings such as the nose or mouth before they find their way into the skin. ^{[1] X Research Source}

A buffalo fly bite isn’t immediately apparent, but it develops as the larvae grow inside the dog’s body.
Other visible symptoms include discharge, bleeding, or the appearance of an abscess on the skin.
Symptoms of dog behavior can include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, scratching or licking wounds.

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Check the center of the lump for a small hole. This is the breathing hole of the buffalo fly larvae – they dig through the surface of the skin to get air. The opening will get bigger and bigger as long as the larva is inside (it will eventually come out through the hole if left untreated.) Sometimes you can even see the larva peeking inside. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Examine the dog’s skin for larval cysts. You may not realize a buffalo fly wound until the parasite has left your dog. Empty cysts are often more dangerous than an active larva – they can become infected or develop into an abscess in the dog’s skin if left untreated. Look for lumps that may be discolored or oozing pus. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Infected cysts are often itchy or irritating to dogs. Watch for your dog’s constant scratching, biting, or licking behavior.
When your dog licks the wound, bacteria can get in and make the condition worse.
You can give your dog an Elizabethan collar to prevent the dog from licking the wound.
The infection can spread to other parts of the dog’s body.

Treatment of parasitic buffalo fly infection

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Immediately take the dog to the vet. Veterinarians can accurately diagnose and treat a wound or fly infestation fairly easily. They will look at the lump (and possibly do a CT scan if needed) to confirm it is a bovine fly and rule out other parasites or infections. A buffalo fly infection is usually officially diagnosed when the doctor sees the larvae inside the lump. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Flies are more likely to cause disgust than danger and are not usually considered an emergency. However, the sooner they are removed, the lower the risk of infection or complications.

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The doctor will anesthetize or anesthetize the dog. Usually only a local anesthetic is needed around the infected area, but your veterinarian may be able to anesthetize if the dog is struggling or uncooperative. This will help keep the dog relaxed and pain-free during the procedure! They will also trim or shave the hair around the wound because the dog’s hair is often sticky with secretions (and to make it easier to access the wound). ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Once the wound has been anesthetized and shaved, the veterinarian will disinfect the wound to remove the larvae.

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The doctor will use mosquito forceps to remove the larvae. The mosquito forceps are shaped like small scissors that help the doctor grip the larvae without squeezing too hard. They will carefully remove the whole larva – if it breaks into pieces, the wound can become infected further or cause an allergic reaction in the dog. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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The doctor will operate if the larva is too deep. Although rare, there have been cases of buffalo fly larvae entering the eyes, brain, spinal cord or respiratory system of dogs if left untreated for too long. When this happens, your doctor will have to use a more invasive procedure. The dog will be put under general anesthesia so that the surgeon can remove the larvae. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Larvae that get too deep are more likely to lead to permanent complications for the dog, such as blindness or nerve damage. The doctor will carefully remove them without causing further harm to the dog.
Take your dog to the clinic as soon as you discover a buffalo fly wound to prevent the infection from developing to this stage.

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After removing the larvae, the doctor will clean the wound. The wound will be washed with a sterile saline solution or antiseptic to reduce the risk of infection after the procedure. If the skin around the wound is severely infected or damaged, the doctor may remove the necrotic tissue. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Most wounds will heal spontaneously through the granulation tissue (letting new skin grow over the wound). Severe or large wounds may require dressings or stitches.
You will be given instructions on how to keep your dog’s wound clean while it is recovering. You need to strictly follow the instructions to prevent re-infection!

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Veterinarians may also prescribe medication for dogs to prevent infection. They will examine the wound after the larvae have been removed to determine if antibiotics or antiparasitic drugs are needed to prevent secondary infection (infection that occurs after treatment). Not all cases are necessary – it depends on how long the larvae live in the dog’s skin and how much damage it causes. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Use medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor and for as long as recommended to keep your dog healthy (and without having to go to the vet again).

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Monitor the wound during recovery for signs of infection, if present. Your veterinarian will tell you what complications may need to be watched for after the procedure. Watch for symptoms such as swelling, discharge, discoloration, or slow healing. If you notice any of the above symptoms, contact your veterinarian or take your dog to the vet for further guidance or treatment. ^{[10] X Research Source}

The prognosis for your dog is very good! Once the buffalo fly larva has been removed and the wound has been disinfected, it should heal within 2 weeks with proper care.

Can I get rid of buffalo fly larvae at home?

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No, you should not remove the larvae of buffalo flies yourself at home because of the risk of infection. Home remedies often recommend sealing the larva’s stoma with wax, grease, or even duct tape to suffocate the parasite. These methods can kill the larvae but cannot prevent or treat the infection. Furthermore, because no anesthetic is given, you can cause pain when trying to remove the larva (larva often have hooks to attach to the host’s skin). ^{[11] X Research Source}

If you grip the larva too hard while removing it, it may leave some parts in the dog’s skin. This can cause toxins to enter the bloodstream or infect the wound. It’s best to let a veterinarian with experience in parasitology do this.
Some veterinarians may use a petroleum jelly trick to get the larva to come to the surface before removing it. ^{[12] X Research Source}

Preventing parasitic buffalo flies

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Keeping dogs away from rodents is the most effective preventative measure. Gourds love to feed on blood and lay eggs near rodent burrows and most commonly infect rabbits, squirrels, house mice and rats. Avoid areas frequented by these animals, and check for tunnels and nests around your home or at parks and routes where you often take your dog. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Keep the dog on a leash to prevent it from sniffing near rodent burrows.
Do not leave food out in the open and remember to cover the trash to avoid attracting rats and other animals that carry parasitic buffalo flies into the yard. ^{[14] X Research Source}
Use a whistle or special command to call the dog back if it starts chasing mice or burrows its head into burrows.

Steps

Identifying parasitic buffalo flies

Treatment of parasitic buffalo fly infection

Can I get rid of buffalo fly larvae at home?

Preventing parasitic buffalo flies

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