The most dangerous parasites: subcutaneous gadfly

The subcutaneous gadfly belongs to the most famous and numerous species. This insect can be found almost anywhere in our planet, with the exception of the Far North. The subcutaneous gadfly is a parasite of cattle, however, pets are often victims, representatives of a separate subspecies parasitize in the human body. What threat does he pose?

Routes of entry into the body of the carrier

The subcutaneous gadfly is known for its larvae penetrating under the skin of its carrier and for some time migrating in the tissues, causing parasitic diseases. But how do they get on the body of their master? This is provided by the female gadfly, which lays eggs on the skin of animals, most often it attaches them individually to the coat, and after a while the larvae emerge from them and take root under the covers.
Staying at the first stage of their development, the larvae are constantly in the body of their carrier. With the approach of the second phase, just before the molt, they find themselves in the back. During this period, on this part of the animal’s body will be visible nodules with fistulas - outlet openings. Thanks to them, gadfly larvae located under the skin get the opportunity to breathe, and after a while through these very holes they go outside.

Harm to livestock

The breeding cycle of the bovine gadfly begins around June and ends in September. At this time, the fertilized females are especially active, being in search of a potential victim.

Parasitizing in the body of cattle, subcutaneous gadfly often causes the development of a very dangerous disease - hypodermatosis. This disease occurs after a long stay of the parasite in the body of its carrier, about 7 months. During this time, the larvae of the subcutaneous gadfly have time to fairly severely injure organs and tissues, as well as the skin of the animal.

On a note! Gadfly larvae secrete a special toxic substance - hypodermotoxin. Together with the meat and milk of an infected animal, it can enter the human body, having a negative impact on health!

The fistulas suggesting the presence of hypodermatosis can be found on the body of animals from the last month of winter to mid-summer. At the same time, larvae are able to exist in their capsules for a rather long time - about 1-3 months. After going outside, they fall to the ground, usually in manure, where they turn into pupae.

On a note! Moreover, even insects that have fallen on pupation are dangerous - only 10 larvae, which are at the third stage of their development, are able to infect about 40% of the livestock!

Effects

Infection with a subcutaneous gadfly leads to the following consequences:

• Cows have a decrease in milk yield of about 7%.
• Young animals have stunted growth.
• For the leather industry, the skin of animals that have undergone hypodermatosis has holes that spoil the leather raw materials.
• For the meat industry, capsules in which the development of larvae require removal, due to which a rather large amount of meat is lost, sometimes with a strong infection it is necessary to cut about 10% of the raw material.

If signs of infection are found, the slaughter of animals is carried out exclusively in sanitary slaughterhouses.

Prevention

In order to prevent the spread of bovine gadfly, animals must be periodically examined for fistulas.

1. In the period from March to May, it is advisable to carefully test the back and lower back of cows and horses - this technique will allow you to detect subcutaneous nodules in time.
   

   Important! If you find nodules, you should immediately contact your veterinarian!

2. For prevention, in late summer or early fall, cows and horses are treated with special preparations, the action of which is aimed at the destruction of larvae that are at the first stage of development. Moreover, absolutely all livestock is subjected to processing, including animals that are the property of individual owners.
3. In order to prevent the penetration of gadfly larvae under the skin after their appearance from eggs, it is recommended to graze animals in the pasture period before 10.00 and after 18.00. In the daytime, cattle should preferably be kept under shelters or indoors.

Danger to pets

Gadfly larvae may appear in a dog. The most likely infection sites in this case are areas where tall grass grows and there may be a sufficient population of rodents.

On a note! Infection with larvae of the subcutaneous gadfly can even affect puppies who have never been on the street. In this case, the cause of infection will be their mother, who brought parasites on her coat!

Treatment

When dogs are infected with subcutaneous gadfly, treatment will depend on the stage of development of the parasites.

1. Safe removal of the larva from the body of the pet is possible provided that the parasite has already completed its migration and stopped in a certain place. At the same time, it can be found not only in the back, as in most cases with cattle, but also in the nose and eye.
2. If the larva of the subcutaneous gadfly is still at the first stage of its development and still migrates in the body, then in this case it will be advisable to use one of the antiparasitic drugs, which characterizes a wide spectrum of action. Such drugs can neutralize insects and alleviate symptoms if it is suspected that parasites move to the animal’s lungs.
3. If the last diagnosis is confirmed, then corticosteroids are also often prescribed.

Important! It is advisable to detect subcutaneous gadfly in the dog's body as early as possible. If you delay, then the vital activity of the parasite can lead to irreversible neurological damage. And with particularly poor forecasts, euthanasia is the only way out!

Prevention

If your pet has weak immunity, then infection with larvae of the subcutaneous gadfly can occur annually. To prevent this, you can resort to the following preventative measures:

• during a period of high activity of the gadfly, do not take walks in places with dense tall grass;
• before going outside, treat the coat and body of the dog with antiparasitic drugs, preferably with a wide spectrum of action;
• constantly inspect the body of your pet for cones and if they are found, immediately contact your veterinarian.

Also pay attention to your dog’s behavior. If she constantly combes a certain place, then it is quite possible that the larva of the subcutaneous gadfly is trying to get into it right now. In this case, it is advisable to conduct an examination again and, if there is no visible damage, treat this area with an antiparasitic drug.

Danger to humans

Sometimes a gadfly may appear under the skin of a person. This type of insect is called Dermatobia hominis.Their migration in this case ends, as a rule, with penetration into the head. This is quite dangerous, especially if the parasite managed to get to the eyes. If subcutaneous gadfly larvae are found in the eye, ophthalmomyiasis is diagnosed and an operation is performed during which the parasites are removed. In most cases, this situation results in a partial loss of vision.

In addition, as a result of its vital activity, the larva of the subcutaneous gadfly provokes the development of dermatobiasis. This disease manifests itself in the form of nodes that occur in the area where the insect is present. These nodes can become inflamed and cause suppuration. After some time, matured individuals leave the body of their carrier.

On a note! A person can become infected with the larvae of the subcutaneous gadfly only during a stay in Central and South America! In our country, this type of parasite was not found!

Prevention

Preventive measures are quite simple:

• being in the countries where Dermatobia hominis lives, it is advisable to use drugs that protect against insect bites;
• at the same time, it is desirable to wear clothes made of thick fabric with long sleeves and full trousers.

If a bite is found, it must be treated with an antiseptic and seek medical help.