The larvae only eat dead tissue, but they can be extremely painful and irritating to the pet. Additionally, this condition can be fatal if left untreated. Please contact your veterinarian immediately, rather than wait. These conditions can appear and get worse within hours. It is important to find the cause of the initial maggot attraction (is your pet vomiting, have diarrhea, a wound, etc.) and to prevent further maggot infestation. Very old, young, or compromised animals will be more at risk.
Treatment involves physical removal of the maggots, wound flushing and cleansing, removal of remaining dead tissue or fecal matter, clipping hair from the area to aid in drying of the affected areas, and often an antibiotic to speed healing. Also, the inciting cause of the myiasis (i.e. diarrhea) must be addressed and treated to prevent reinfection of the maggots.
