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Bot Eggs, Yellow-White Flecks on Hair or Skin
Summary
When swallowed, the larvae attach to and live on the lining of a horse's stomach. Vets often see these larvae when performing endoscopy on horses for stomach ulcers. They are orange to red grubs about 3cm in length.
Bot flies themselves are common and can be highly annoying, sometimes causing horses to stampede but they are not harmful otherwise. You will see them repeatedly depositing their eggs on the skin with their long ovipositor.
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your role
What To Do
Recognize that bots generally do not cause horses much harm and so it is not necessary to completely eliminate them. The eggs are difficult to remove but can be scraped off with a specially shaped bot egg knife or combed out to reduce the number a horse ingests. Soaking the affected hair in hot water may help to loosen the eggs.In late fall, after a few hard freezes the adult bot fly is inactive. This is a good time to try to remove the eggs. Talk to your vet about the necessity to de-worm your horse in the winter with ivermectin or moxidectin to kill the larval stages in your horse's stomach. Talk to your vet if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
- Does your horse seem normal otherwise?
- When was the horse last dewormed, and with what medication?
- How is your horse's attitude and appetite?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health