Fly larvae infestation in pets can be easily avoided

There has been an increase in the number of fly infestation cases reported this year. In many cases, the fly involved was identified as the Old World Screw Worm Fly.

Of cases seen by the SPCA all the animals affected came from the New Territories and have recovered after treatment.

Life cycle

An animal becomes infected with larvae (maggots) after the adult fly lays its eggs on a wound or damaged skin.

In ideal conditions, the eggs hatch within 24 hours and the larvae feed on tissue surrounding the original wound making the injury worse.

After one week the larvae fall off and burrow into the soil to pupate. After seven to 10 days, they hatch into adult flies which live for between two and three weeks.