Early in my veterinary career, I remember treating a dog with maggots.
Honestly, it grossed me out. But what stayed with me was the condition of the dog. Based on where the maggots were located and the other clinical findings, I was concerned about significant underlying tissue damage—and that this dog was suffering. I haven't forgotten that case.
With New World screwworm (NWS), myiasis deserves another level of attention. NWS can be associated with wounds and may also occur around mucous membranes and other vulnerable tissues. And for veterinarians, recognizing a suspect case is only the beginning.
USDA APHIS has developed a Standard Operating Procedure for Possible Detections of New World Screwworm in Animals, including pets and imported animals.
If NWS is suspected, veterinarians should contact the APHIS VS Area Veterinarian in Charge (AVIC) and their State Animal Health Official (SAHO). USDA also provides specific procedures for imported animals and advises veterinarians to coordinate with animal-health officials before collecting or submitting suspected larvae.
A suspect animal may need to be quarantined while official identification is pending.
SUSPECT → STOP → NOTIFY → COORDINATE
For me, this comes back to animal welfare.
Pet travel isn't only about getting the paperwork right or helping an animal reach its destination. Sometimes protecting that animal—and other animals—means recognizing when movement needs to stop and an animal-health response needs to begin.
📄 Here is the USDA APHIS SOP. I encourage veterinary teams to save it and review it before they need it.
🔗 For current NWS updates and additional federal resources: Screwworm.gov