Cuterebra or Warbles in Cats

What are warbles?

Cuterebra is the genus or scientific family name of the North American rabbit or rodent botfly. Twenty-six species of Cuterebra are known to occur in the U.S. and Canada. They are also found in Mexico and the neo-tropical regions. Cuterebra larvae develop within the tissues of certain animal hosts, and during this phase of their life cycle, they are commonly referred to as warbles.

What is the cuterebra or botfly lifecycle?

The adult botfly deposits its eggs near or in the opening of rodent and rabbit burrows. After hatching, the botfly larvae, which typically infect rodents and rabbits, enters the host's body through an opening such as the nose or mouth or through a skin wound. After several days, the botfly larvae migrate to the tissues beneath the skin where they encyst and continue their development.

Different species of Cuterebra flies have evolved to migrate to specific anatomical locations in different hosts. For example, Cuterebra horripilum tends to seek out the throat region in cottontail rabbits, and C. fontinella commonly selects the abdominal or tail region in the deer mouse. The larvae encyst beneath the skin of the host and complete their development. Larval development within the host may last from 19 to 38 days in small rodents and from 55 to 60 days in jackrabbits. After leaving the host, the larva develops into a pupa (immobile cocoon-like stage) in loose soil, debris, or plant litter on the forest floor. The pupation period may be as long as 7 to 11 months or as short as 28 days, depending on the environmental temperature and botfly species. Adult Cuterebra flies will mate within a few days after emergence and they seldom live more than two weeks.

How did my cat get warbles?

"Cats are accidental hosts of Cuterebra larvae."

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.

How do I know if my cat has warbles?

The early stages of Cuterebra infection or warbles are rarely evident from external inspection of the skin. Most cases of warbles do not become noticeable until the larva enlarges and becomes a noticeable swelling that is seen or felt beneath the skin. A small 'breathing' hole is often visible in the skin over the warble. The hole enlarges when the warble has fully matured and is about to leave the host. Sometimes, nothing abnormal is noticed until after the larva has left the host and the empty cyst becomes infected or develops into an abscess in the cat's skin (see handout "Abscesses in Cats" for further information).

In many cases, the secondary bacterial infection that develops in the empty cyst causes more damage to the host than the primary attack by the Cuterebra warble. Most cats will develop a deep abscess or skin infection at the infection site after the warble has left the skin.

How is the condition treated?

Treatment depends on when the condition is discovered. If the condition is diagnosed before the warble leaves the skin, the warble will be removed and the injured tissues will be debrided (surgically removed). Antibiotics are usually prescribed to combat any secondary bacterial infection. Surgery may be required to close the injured site in certain cases.

If the condition is noticed after the warble has left the skin, the infected area is cleaned and debrided and antibiotics prescribed.

What is the prognosis for my cat?

When only a few warbles are involved, the prognosis is very good for complete resolution and few, if any, permanent side effects occur. The prognosis is worse if a cat is infected with multiple warbles or if a warble migrates through or develops near a nerve or other sensitive tissue or organ.

How can I prevent my cat from getting warbles?

Cuterebra is a common fly in North America. The best prevention is to keep your cat from hunting rodents. When this is impossible and if you live in an area with numerous rodents, rabbits, or other small mammals, you should closely inspect your cat regularly for any signs of warbles. The earlier a warble is removed, the less likely the chance of permanent or serious damage to your cat.