Maggot Therapy for Snakebite Necrotic Wound in a Horse

Abstract

Maggot therapy is the use of sterile fly larvae in the treatment of superficial wounds in humans and animals. Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae are most commonly used for this purpose. Nowadays, larval therapy is widely used in the treatment of diabetic and infectious human wounds. Larval therapy in veterinary medicine has been used in dogs, cats, horses, and even ruminants. A 5-year-old crossbreed (Arabian and Kurdish) stallion was referred to a Veterinary Private Sector in Tabriz city that suffered from a necrotic wound on its forelimb skin following a snakebite injury. The owner had seen the snake in the horse stable. Skin necrosis was observed on the dorsal of the right forelimb which extended to the ventral of the adjacent neck and chest. Despite this extensive skin injury, the horse was alert with a normal appetite and no sign of lameness was detected.  Intravenous fluid therapy, systemic anti-inflammatory, and antibiotics were used for the horse's general condition support and topical oxytetracycline and zinc oxide but had no effect on healing necrotic wounds. Maggot therapy was performed on the necrotic skin. Unfortunately, the larvae died after inserting less than 24 hours. The maggot therapy was unsuccessful in the treatment of skin necrosis in this experience and the larvae died in this short time. However, more clinical trials on the efficacy of maggot therapy for extensive skin necrosis and studies on the effects of snake venom on the maggots are needed.