Seeing worms coming out of dogs skin always makes many people worry about the health of their pets.
And your worry is completely right because an infestation of maggots can cause serious complications, even death.
So why do they appear? How to treat and prevent it? Let’s find out with them.
Why Are There Worms Coming Out Of Dogs Skin?
Worms parasitic under the skin is a fairly common disease and can appear in any dog because the source of infection often comes from daily life.
Causes can be flies laying eggs on the derm, habitat with many larvae, open skin wounds, contact with soil, etc.
A common parasite is a group of organisms that, to survive, must rely on other living organisms such as plants, animals, and humans.
They will take nutrients from the host to survive and thrive. The main pathogens are flies.
Flies reproduce by laying eggs. Any watery wound, wet clothing, or urine can become the perfect place for flies to lay their eggs.
After the worm eggs hatch, larvae are released. Pets, especially those kept outside or have health issues, are their primary targets.
Dogs can also get fly larvae from surrounding objects because they are improperly cleaned. Direct contact with friends with maggots is also a common route of infection.
When the larvae enter the body through the derm, they move through the veins and destroy other organs. They can last a long time in the dog’s body.
What Type Of Worms Are Under The Skin Of A Dog?
Parasites are organisms that have to depend on other living organisms to survive. The worms in dogs are organisms that live on the dog’s body.
They include many different species with different causes and effects. Here are some examples:
Dracunculus Infection
Dracunculus insignis is a parasite that causes an obsession with many people because of the painful and serious lesions it brings.
Each female Dracunculus worm can carry more than 3 million larvae. In the external environment, larvae can live up to 3 weeks.
The larvae of the worms become food for animals such as dogs and cats; After entering the host’s body, they can live and survive for up to 4 months.
Dogs can also become infected with larvae from drinking water containing water fleas contaminated with worm larvae.
Water sources that may have Dracunculus larvae are rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. The disease can occur at any age.
Thus, it becomes a big concern for owners because spreading disease-causing larvae in humans and animals is easy and quick.
Adult female worms in dogs will burrow into the host’s derm to parasitize, causing clinical manifestations.
The time for the larvae to develop and burrow into the host’s body lasts from 9-14 months, with almost no signs of worm infestation until they burrow.
The head of the female Dracunculus worm reaches the epidermis causing blisters, which will burst when exposed to water, causing ulcers.
Pelodera Dermatitis
This common type is a worm that causes skin infections, and secondary infections.
The larvae of the worms enter the body by burrowing through the skin, going through the veins running up the heart, through the lungs, and then to the trachea to grow into adult worms.
During subcutaneous migration, the larvae must undergo two molts to reach adulthood.
When exiting the environment, the larvae will gradually develop into the cylindrical esophagus, capable of entering the human body through the derm, or they live freely outside the domain.
A hot and humid environment is suitable for worm larvae to develop.
Pelodera worm is the most dangerous of all parasites because it can survive for a long time in the host’s body and cause many hazardous complications, even death.
The disease also has a higher rate of reinfection than other diseases.
In addition to the two types of worms in dogs mentioned above, parasites on dogs’ skin also have many other classes with high severity.
These include mango worms, botflies (wolf worms), myiasis (Maggots), etc.
What Are Symptoms Of Worm Under Dog Skin?
Summer is when flies reproduce and thrive, which is also an ideal time for worms to succeed on the host.
Thus, pet owners need to pay close attention when their little friend has the following symptoms of worms:
- The appearance of red bumps and blisters, accompanied by itching
- Red rashes, eczema, and other forms of derm allergies
- There will be large holes above the tumors containing larvae, which are their breathing hole
- The appearance of sores on the skin, swelling, and damage to the derm’s structure.
- Continuous swelling of soft tissue or the formation of inflammatory nodules
- There are zigzag lines and raised bumps for the larvae to move
- The itching causes the dog to scratch a lot, causing pus
- Pets feel tired, uncomfortable, cough, shortness of breath, fever, insomnia
- Do abnormal behaviors
- Body heat increased and loss of consciousness
- Hair loss, yellow specks in skin
- Dizziness, running in circles, paralyzed, blind, lying down
- Digestive disorders, anorexia, anorexia
- Blood loss and nutrition causes dog owners to lose weight, malnourishment, and anemia
This disease can happen silently or have common symptoms like many other common diseases, so you must be vigilant.
What Is The Best Worm Coming Out Of Dog Skin Treatment?
Some manual removal methods to remove worms on dog skin, such as picking them up, applying oil, grease, and even using bandages, are ineffective and increase the risk of infection.
These methods can kill the larvae but not prevent or treat the infection. Due to the lack of anesthesia, you will hurt the dog when removing the maggot.
Clipping the maggot too hard when grasping can leave some parts in the dog’s derm. This causes toxins to enter the bloodstream, and the wound becomes infected.
The best way is to take your pets to the hospital or ask your veterinarian for instructions.
One highly effective and often recommended way is to use insect repellents or parasites to eliminate maggots in the derm colonies.
This product also works to help prevent larvae, mosquitoes, etc., from getting close to the dog and help prevent the disease from recurring.
Advantage or Frontline is most commonly used in many types of specialty drugs. Ask your veterinarian to recommend deworming medication.
Do not forget to carefully read the instructions for use and warnings on the medicine.
How To Prevent Worms Coming Out Of Dog’s Skin?
There isn’t immunity strong enough to withstand the infestation of the parasite forever. A dog can develop derm lesions for several years, so taking precautions is important.
The first thing is not to let the dog get close to rodent nests. Keep your dog away from areas where rats often go and rabbit burrows.
Check tunnels, nests around the house, or parks the dog frequents. Do not leave food outside to avoid attracting mice and flies.
Regularly check your dog for stings. Worm eggs thrive in the summer and early fall months, so it would be best to exercise extreme caution during this time.
Early maggot detection and prompt removal reduce the risk of infection and other complications.
Look for lumps under your dog’s wound or swipe all over his body to see if there are any lumps. Besides, don’t forget some other points like:
- Regularly bathe your dog
- Regularly clean pets’ places, toys, and utensils
- Provide hygienic food
- Periodic deworming
- Fully equipped when exploring the wilderness
- Take your pets for regular check-ups
Conclusion
Witnessing worms coming out of dogs skin is indeed a big obsession for pet owners.
Many types of worms can parasitize their derm, but the causative agent is usually the larvae of the worms. You need to take reasonable care and precautions to prevent risks.
