Poss Bot fly worm?

[Angelbones]

One of the ponies has got a large lump under his neck low down near his chest, and another one on his bottom to the side of his tail. At first they were just lumps so we thought poss horsefly bites, but they are now moist and seeping a sort of golden syrup like substance. They are very itchy to the pony. I can't find any sort of hole, but the hair with the syrup on is now falling out. Could this be from a bot fly? I don't know anything about them but the thought of there being a maggot in there fills me with revulsion. I haven't been picking or squeezing them, just cleaning them up. What else should I be doing? I am about to call the vet as he's had them like this for a couple of days now, but any similar experience you've had would be much appreciated.

Many thanks x

 

[kellyeaton]

there should not be any bot flies around this time of year and it will not be a worm because bots are only eggs give it a clean with diluted hi bi scrub and warm water apply some tea tree cream do this a couple of imes a day for a few days if no better call vet for a bit of advice!

 

[NeilM]

I believe you are thinking of Warble Fly rather than Bot Fly.

As far as I know, there is not much you can do, as the risk of killing the larvae under the skin has to be considered.

Edit: Link added.

DEFRA

 

[ester]

I think botflys and warble flys are v. similar species.

bots are only eggs? don't get that bit, eggs become larvae, larvae become flys.

It would be late for it to be warble fly as they generally migrate late winter eary spring and take 30 days to mature.

Have you used ivermectin/moxidectin wormers since last summer?

As something completely different my pony often exhibits a reaction to fly bite such as you suggest. They are plain lumps to start then they start to weep and crust up with a yellowy liquid (not as thick as golden syrup though), once crusted the whole crust and hair will come off together. If I leave them alone they spread. He has had skin scrapes etc on these and nothing has come up but I have found that the best thing to do is to put sudocreme on them, and then when softened remove the scab and the hair and they then heal up lovely. I must take some pics when he next gets one so I can post them. They are generally very itchy to them. My theory is that he gets a bite and gets a low grade infection of the skin from them.

I would be tempted to give the vet a ring and give him the description and see what he says.

 

[Angelbones]

Vet has been out and says it is some sort of emerging moist eczema which has now got infected. The pony has serious pollen allergies and is on meds for this and the vet said he suspected it started as his body reacting to the allergy in a different way (previously was head shaking but now with antihistamines this has stopped). He said the pony may erupt in more of the same. So pony is on antibios for a week for the infection, and the sores have to be washed in Malaseb and then Flamazine applied. The sores should scab over, and then heal (obviously leaving circular bald patches for the showing season - yippee!). He suggested using Cavalesse if they become persistent but as I have another pony on this and she is showing no relief from her own symptons I don't think I'll bother. She's happier on Aloe Vera so I'll give him some of that too and fingers crossed.

Thanks for your replies - I have to say I am SO relieved that there are no wrigglies inside him! x

 

[ester]

thank you for update. poor pone