Can a cuterebra infestation in a cat spread to other animals in the household ?
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This is caused by the rodent or rabbit bot fly. It takes the fly to lay her eggs around the animal's rest site or near where the animal passes through, the larvae react to body heat and enter the body through mouth or nose. they then migrate to various subcutaneous locations in the animal. So there is no direct animal to animal spread.
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Once a cuterebra (bot fly) attaches to a pet and burrows under the skin to then lay eggs. So to answer your question it is not necessarily contagious but if that same bot fly or another one lands on another pet then they can cause the same issues for that pet. However, typically once the cuterebra is removed (via a professional vet), and the environment is treated with Fipronil products (Frontline spray) to remove all other potential cuterebra, then you have addressed the source of the problem eliminating the risk of exposure to your other pets.
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Usually cuterebra infections take hold when a pet is outdoors and comes into contact with larva or eggs that take hold under the skin or other body cavities. If your other pets have been in contact with the same areas, it is possible they may also be affected. If the adult cuterebra are actively shedding larva/eggs they may also be spread to other animals, so avoiding contact and proper cleaning/monitoring of other pets is best. If your cat or other pets are affected it is best to bring them in for veterinary care to make sure the adult is removed safely and in one piece.
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