What's a Wolf Worm?

What's a Wolf Worm?

Warbles are a parasite that feeds on rabbits and rodents, such as rats. Their genus name is Cuterebra, which includes a variety of species. Technically, warbles are immature versions of the adult rodent bot fly called larvae. Adult flies lay eggs at the entrance to burrows of rabbits and rodents.

What causes Wolf worms in cats?

Cats are accidental hosts of Cuterebra larvae. They are most commonly infected when they are hunting rodents or rabbits and encounter the botfly larvae near the entryway to a rodent's burrow. Most cases of warbles in cats occur around the head and neck.

Can a dog get a wolf worm?

What Are Botflies in Dogs? Cuterebra is a type of botfly whose larvae embed themselves as parasites in a dog's skin, eyes, upper respiratory tract, or central nervous system (brain/spinal cord). People also call them “warbles” or “wolf worms” when they are in the larval stage.

David Miller
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David Miller

David Miller brings 15 years of experience in global economics, personal finance strategy, and market dynamics. He specializes in turning complex economic trends into actionable insights for everyday readers.