Nasal cuterebriasis in a nine-week-old Golden Retriever

Abstract

A nine-week-old male intact Golden Retriever presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) for presumed cuterebriasis. During a routine visit to the primary care veterinarian, two Cuterebra larvae were incidentally identified and removed from the right side of the patient’s face. The patient was treated with selamectin and was referred to CUHA for advanced imaging to assess for aberrant larval migration. At CUHA, baseline blood work, a computed tomography (CT) scan of the head, and rhinoscopy were performed. Diagnostic imaging revealed a unilateral non-destructive rhinitis. Production of an additional larva from the nasal airway and a history of exposure to rabbits supported a diagnosis of nasal Cuterebra myiasis. The patient was additionally treated with steroids and discharged to the care of the owner. Clinical signs resolved upon follow up.