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Hello. I have 5 kittens about 4 weeks old. I noticed a huge sore on the neck area. In this area a worm was popping in and out surrounded with green mucus and fluid leaking out. I pulled the worm out with tweezers, now a hole is left in the kittens neck. The mom cat has been licking the neck of another kitten, but I dont see a worm. What should be done?
Sounds like your kittens have had cuterebra flies laying eggs on them. Cuterebras are grubs that burrow into the skin and stay there while they grow in a tunnel that is sealed off on one end.
When they are ready to hatch they make a small hole that you can see. The momma cat smelled this and licked it open further. These grubs can grow rather large but will stay small as well depending on the size of the host. They prefer cattle but in the absence of these cats and dogs do nicely.
They are not very pleasant to look at and we have had many an owner faint in the exam room over them.
You can get some fly repellent spray like Ovitrol Plus and wipe the cats and kittens down with that to keep them away. You should bring these kittens into the house.
Do not squeeze the other one as that can cause an infection or worse an allergic reaction in the kitten. Get that kitten to a vet to have the grub removed. You can try some warm compresses on it to soften it and maybe that will open it up.
But you really should have the vet remove it.
Here is a picture of one in a cats neck:
http://userpages.bright.net/~bryanvet/cuterebra/larvaInSitu.jpg
The grub itself:
http://woodringsimulacra.wordpress.com/2007/08/18/cutebra-sp/
Good luck with it.
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Answers by Expert:
Jana Connell RVT, CVT
Expertise
PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!
Experience
I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina.
I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.
Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.
Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT.
Certified Veterinary Dental Technician
Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).
Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.
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