CASE REPORT
Kumar & Raj IJAVMS, Vol. 6, Issue 1, 2012: 4-6
doi: 10.5455/ijavms.11680
Management of wound myiasis in a lion (panthera leo)
Vijay Kumar1 and Anshu Raj2
1
2
Veterinary Officer, Dhauladhar Nature Park, Gopalpur, Distt- Kangra, H.P. 176059, India.
Veterinary Officer, Veterinary Hospital, Deol, Baijnath, Distt- Kangra, H.P. 176125, India.
*Corresponding Author’s e-mail address: [email protected]
Rec.Date: Oct 05, 2011 21:29
Accept Date: Dec 02, 2011 19:15
Abstract
A case of wound myiasis in a captive lion and it’s successful management.
Key words: Wound myiasis, Ivermectin, , Lion.
Introduction
Wound myiasis results from the infestation of fly larvae which feed and
develop in the cutaneous tissues of their hosts causing a more or less severe traumatizing
injury1,2. There is a higher incidence infecting animals such as cattle and pigs, as well as
house pets such as dogs and cats, leading to economic loss and health injuries of these
animals but in wild animals it leads to loss of wild fauna in captive as well as in free range
wild animals. Ivermectin has been used for Endo and ectoparasitic treatment in
carnivorous3,4,5,6. Ivermectin is a highly effective antiparasitic drug in domestic animals but
unfortunately regarding its efficacy and safety in the wild animals.there is meager data
available.
Case History and Clinical Observation
A 19 years old male lion kept in semi open area in the captivity was seen with signs
of inappetance and not bearing weight on it’s left paw and was limping. The animal was
anaesthesied with a combination of xylazine and ketamine for clinical examination. There
was seen maggot wound on mid ventral area of the left paw.
Treatment and Discussion
The animal was immobilized by using Xylazine and Ketamine combinbation.
Xylazine was given @ 2 mg/kg body weight and ketamine @ 5 mg/kg body weight. After
achieving the anaesthesia there was seen a wound in it’s left fore paw with a heavy
infestation of maggots in middle ventral area of the left paw. 5 ml of the blood was taken in
the EDTA vial for the haematological examination. The maggots were removed manually
from the wound by using forceps and the remaining deep seated maggots were killed and
MYIASIS IN A LION
extracted out by using gauze bandage soaked with chloroform and turpentine oil in the ratio
of 1:1 was kept on the open wound for two hours. This procedure draws out and killed
maggots perforated deeply into the wound, as well as on the surface. Forceps was used to
remove dead and live maggots that came out of wound. The wound was dressed with
Povidine-iodine. The animal was started with the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory
treatment. The animal was given inj. Enrofloxacin @ 8 mg/kg body weight and inj Melonex
@ 0.25mg.kg body weight by using blow pipe darts. The wound was observed for the
maggots on 3rd day. But there was no relief to the animal and the maggots were coming out
from the perforated area of wound. Then treatment of the animals was started with the inj.
Ivermectin @200 µg/kg subcutaneously at weekly intervals for two times.
The heavy infestation of maggots (Fig.1) had sloughed surrounding tissues of the
paw. The wound was observed routinely on every 3rd day for the intensity of wound
maggots.
Fig.1. Maggot wound
Fig. 2. Absence of maggot after treatment
The maggots were completely absent from the wound (Fig.2) on the 10th day of the
ivermectin injection. There was seen significant clinical improvement after two weeks of
treatment and no maggots were seen in the wound after ten days. Routinely dressing of the
wound was done on every 3rd day. The results of the haematology showed increase in the
leucocytes count showed the intensity of secondary bacterial infection. The broad spectrum
antibiotic has taken control the secondary bacterial infection.
Traumatic myiasis is usually caused by larvae of blow flies in the animals7. The
necrotic tissues and secondary bacterial infections in the tissues can attract female flies,
which lays eggs at the affected sit and moist environment in the wound as well as outer
environment, faeces, urine, mud etc. favours the growth of the maggots. The animals living
in the confinement are more prone to such infections as the surrounding environment
limited to a confined place. To avoid secondary bacterial infection along the surrounding
skin tissues was treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory. The present case reports an
efficient treatment method of cutaneous myiasis in a lion.
References
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agents of wound myiasis to hosts and artificial stimuli in Hungary. Medi and Vet Ento
1995 ; 9: 77–84.
IJAVMS, Vol. 6, Issue 1, 2012: 4-6 doi: 10.5455/ijavms.11680
MYIASIS IN A LION
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IJAVMS, Vol. 6, Issue 1, 2012: 4-6 doi: 10.5455/ijavms.11680