New Mexico Dog Recovers From New World Screwworm, Returning Home Thursday

Q: With screwworm now found in US pets, what are the hidden symptoms that every owner should be watching for?

Pet owners should be most alert for a wound that does not heal, suddenly gets larger, or worsens within a day or two. That is one of the clearest early warning signs of New World screwworm, whose larvae feed on living tissue and can rapidly turn a minor cut, tick bite, surgical incision, or skin irritation into a serious emergency. The less obvious signs are often behavioral. Dogs and cats may repeatedly lick, chew, scratch, or rub one spot, seem restless, flinch when touched, shake their head, paw at the face, or become unusually irritable, withdrawn, sleepy, or off their food. These changes can appear before owners notice larvae. Owners should also watch for swelling, redness, bloody or watery drainage, and especially a foul odor from any wound or body opening. Screwworm can hide in the ears, nose, mouth, around the eyes, genitals, anal area, skin folds, and in the navel of young animals. In some cases, a cream-colored discharge or visible tissue damage may appear before maggots are clearly seen. Veterinary officials say the risk for most U.S. pets remains low, but it is higher in areas with confirmed cases, including parts of Texas and New Mexico. Daily checks matter most for outdoor pets and any animal with an open wound. If a wound is not healing, smells bad, or your pet is obsessing over it, seek veterinary care immediately. Early treatment can be effective, but delay can lead to severe tissue damage, secondary infection, or death.

3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jun 18

Lea County officials said the New Mexico dog infected with New World screwworm has fully healed and is set to go home Thursday.
State veterinarian Samantha Holeck said the recovery is complete, but officials still do not know how the animal contracted the parasite.
That unanswered origin question keeps the case under scrutiny even after the dog's recovery.