1. Medicines commonly used to treat maggot-infested wounds: Iodine solution (Betadine, Wokadine or any similar product will do); chloroform, Acrilin or any other veterinary antiseptic ointment, Nebasulf powder, and the Ayurvedic fly repellent cream Himax. Chloroform may not be easily available as it is highly toxic, so ask an animal welfare NGO to help you get some and store it out of the reach of children/animals. Options to chloroform: Neem oil, eucalyptus oil, any veterinary anti-maggot spray or application (ask your vet to recommend one)
2. This wound is very large with several openings. ALWAYS MUZZLE THE DOG BEFORE STARTING TREATMENT.
3. The first step is to kill the maggots. Here is one way of applying chloroform. This is demonstrated on a deep tunnel-like wound the dog had near the anus. First it was plugged with clean cotton wool.
4. Pour a few drops of chloroform on the cotton and leave it for a few minutes (alternatives - neem oil/eucalyptus oil/anti-maggot medication applied directly in wound). Check the Indian Pariah Dog Club blog http://indianpariahdog.blogspot.com/search?q=wound+treatment+for+street+dogs for more detailed instructions.
5. After some minutes the maggots will die. Now start removing them with clean, sterilized forceps/pincers. Wipe the instrument with spirit before use.
6. This wound was severely infested. It took nearly an hour to clean. (Check instructions on the blog)
7. Pour in Iodine solution/Betadine/Wokadine to flush out dirt and dead maggots
8. After the Iodine solution has flushed out, sprinkle Nebasulf powder or any similar product, to dry the wound.
9. Now apply an antiseptic ointment. Mumbai vets and NGOs often use Acrilin, a veterinary product which works very well in healing deep wounds
9. Liberally apply the fly-repellent Himax as the topmost layer. This is very important as it will prevent re-infestation.
10. Notice the inflammation around the back wound. This dog could hardly move thanks to pain and blood loss. Some wounds can be treated on site but severe cases should be kept in clean surroundings or hospitalized.
The dog a few weeks later
