New World screwworm in Texas: Austin vet offers advice on keeping pets safe
Screwworm risk and household pets
While state animal health officials race to contain the New World screwworm, federal officials confirmed the first case of the parasite in a dog. FOX 7 Austin's Alec Nolan has more on what pet owners might want to be aware of.
AUSTIN, Texas - Livestock and pet owners alike are on high alert in Texas after the USDA initially reported a canine case of the New World screwworm in the panhandle town of Andrews on Monday.
Federal officials later clarified that although the test was done in Texas, the dog actually lives in neighboring Lea County, New Mexico.
RELATED COVERAGE: Dog among 2 new screwworm cases; Canada blocks Texas livestock imports
Why you should care:
Regardless of jurisdiction, many Texans have been left to wonder if their pet is safe from the flesh-eating parasite.
FOX 7 Austin spoke with Dr. Alexandra Ives from Austin Urban Vet Center to better understand what pet owners might want to be aware of.
"If your animal does have an open wound and you are starting to notice like a weird smell or maggots definitely call your vet as soon as possible," Dr. Ives said. "It is something we would report to the state boards as well."
Dr. Ives says modern monthly flea and tick medications work as a first line of defense.
"The biggest thing is keeping them on flea and tick prevention things like Credelio Quattro, Simparica Trio, Nexgard and Brevecto," Dr. Ives said. "They do prevent and treat these screwworms."
The New World screwworm fly is drawn to even the tiniest scratch on your pet, unloading hundreds of eggs surrounding the break in the skin.
Within 12 hours, those eggs can hatch into flesh-eating larvae.
Dr. Ives says dogs working on ranches and farms are at a greater risk.
"Screwworm we're seeing most often in our cattle so if these dogs are spending a lot of time with cattle or sheep or you know on these big farms where these animals don't have that kind of protection, they are definitely more susceptible just with the exposure risk," Dr. Ives said.
Whether on a ranch or a daily sidewalk stroll, Dr. Ives says vigilance is the key to staying safe.
"It's most often in a wound, but they can get in the mouth, nose, orifice, it’s just not as common," Dr. Ives said.
"I feel like people are watching their pets a little more than a thousand head cattle farm so just keep an eye on them."
The Source: Information in this report comes from reporting/interviews by FOX 7 Austin's Alec Nolan.