Parasite in Animals

by Debbie
(Ohio)

The Warble Is A Parasite In Animals That Needs Removal

There is a parasite in animals that cattle, cats, or dogs can get. I heard it called a weable worm. We saw it in a kitten. It was under the skin in a hole and lived off the kitten and made it weak.

What is the spelling of the worm type thing? They pulled it out of kitten with tweezers, and it was some kind of worm type creature that wouldn't let the sore heal up till it was out.

I will wait to hear from you.

Thanks,
Debbie

Hi Debbie,

It took me quite a while to figure out what it was you were referring to since I hadn't really heard of a weable worm, or anything that sounded similar.

The idea of ticks and mites came to mind, but they didn't really fit the description you gave.

This site has primarily been geared toward dealing with parasites that affect human health, but one day we hope to expand to cover more info on parasites in pets.

Having said all that, after some searching, I'm pretty sure I've found the answer you are looking for. I would say the word is "warble." Does that ring a bell?

In fact, the photo I've added above is a veterinarian removing a warble from is from a cat at the Cuyahoga Falls Vet Clinic not too far from my own hometown.

It's gross, I know, but the photo is so helpful for those trying to identify a parasite in animals and get their pet proper treatment.

The best option is to have the warble removed. Some pet owners may want to do the deed themselves, but I'm not one of them. Ick! I'd prefer to let the vet do the necessary.

You'll find more info on their website about the warbles, etc., but the basics are that they are the offspring (larva) of the Cuterebra fly.

Your pet picks up this passenger along the way somewhere and it makes it's way through the body of the pet until it lodges under the skin to grow until it is ready to pop out.

Hope that helps!
Angie from allaboutparasites.com

Comments for Parasite in Animals

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Aug 30, 2018

Look what the cat dragged in! NEW
by: Liz

Thanks for the wealth of information! Years ago, I groomed pets at a vet clinic & dealt with a few sebaceous cysts, all found on dogs. I own several former TNR cats that I trapped & tamed (they spend several weeks each with their own large wire cage-with all of the comforts of home- until they are comfortable with me & the other cats). They have never fought with eachother & all are indoor neutered cats who now love to snuggle. They like to bat at the moths that come to the window. One morning, I found the window screen had come unhooked. Trout, a tortie, had fallen out the kitchen window. I tried so hard, but couldn't find her. Six months later, I saw her a mile away. It took me another 3 months to trap her. Safe and healthy, she blended right back in, but I noticed a small pea sized bump on her side. It never did anything until a year later, when it grew to about the size of 1/2 a small grape. I shaved it again, but there was no clogged pore, etc. I kept watching it, thinking fatty tumor, maybe? Then it popped (ew). It has literally been on her for close to 2 years. When it popped, there was no infection smell, just a little clear fluid & a tiny hole. I cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide & warm wet cloths to soak & let it completey drain. I did antibiotic ointment. And now she's good as new! I don't know what,or WHO,was in my kitty, but it's gone now. Your pictures helped me understand the wound & your words helped me figure out what that thing could have been. Thanks so much! Liz #zerodestruction1 (Save a can. Save a cat. Save the world.)

May 30, 2012

Sounds like your pet had Cuterebriasis
by: Anonymous

Cuterebriasis is caused by a fly called Cuterebra. This is a little parasite that dogs, cats, rabbits, squirrels, etc., can pick up if they get close to the entrance of a burrow or a nest. The eggs can also be found in vegetation on occasion, so although they don't specifically attack dogs and cats, etc., if the eggs get near enough to attach themselves, the animal's body heat will cause them to hatch. The problem comes when the larva incubates and results in an open wound as it kind of lives just under the skin and breathes through the opening.

The little parasite will live under the skin for about a month or so and then eventually crawls out and goes into the ground and the process starts all over again.

The skin of your pet can become infected around the area and become painful. If this sounds like a possibility for your situation, a vet should be able to identify the problem and can diagnose cuterebriasis just by looking at the lesion.

It's a pretty simple matter for the vet to open the hole and pull out the larva. If you do attempt to do this yourself, just be careful not to squeeze the parasite and cause it to rupture or break apart. That could cause an even greater infection.

You can cover the sore with an antibiotic ointment to help it heal up faster once the critter has been removed.

Oct 23, 2010

Oklahoma
by: Joe

We just had an incident with a kitten, he had a hole open up in his neck under his chin. It grew to about the size of a grape. It stayed open and leaked a clear fluid. We then noticed movement in the hole and pulled it out with tweezers. It was some type of worm, kind of looked like a cocoon dark gray in color, have never ran into this problem before but would like any help in identifying what it might be.

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