Mango Worms in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Reviewed by Rhiannon Koehler, DMV, MPH | Products are chosen at the discretion of the company and do not represent a direct endorsement by the veterinary reviewer.
Key Takeaways
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What are mango worms? – Parasitic larvae from tropical blowflies that burrow into a dog’s skin, causing irritation and boils.
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How do dogs get infected? – Through contact with contaminated soil (often containing feces/urine), where mango fly eggs hatch, and larvae enter the skin.
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Symptoms to watch for:
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Itching, redness, and boils on the skin
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Distressed behavior, scratching, or biting at skin
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Fever or difficulty sleeping
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Treatment: Requires a vet—the worm is physically removed. Oral or topical antibiotics may be needed for the skin lesions.
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Prevention: Avoid contaminated soil, keep your dog clean, and groom regularly. Mango flies are typically found in Western and Central Africa.
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Can humans get mango worms? Extremely rare, but possible if the person wears contaminated clothing or comes into contact with contaminated soil.
All dog owners know that their canine companions can end up with worms. For intestinal worms, you hear about roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and hookworms. You’ve also likely heard of heartworms, a dangerous worm that takes up residence in a dog’s heart and the associated blood vessels.
But have you ever heard of mango worms? Unlike worms that affect other parts of the body, such as the digestive system, mango worms live inside a dog’s skin.
Just because mango worms aren't dangerous doesn’t mean they can be left untreated. Your dog’s skin will get terribly irritated, and you will end up with a distressed pet. Mango worms are rare in the United States, as the flies are usually found in Africa, but as society has grown increasingly mobile and international travel has become more common, mango worms can occasionally find their way into pets from outside of Africa.
About the Mango Worm Parasite in Dogs
You’ve probably heard of other parasites affecting dogs, such as heartworms and roundworms. Mango worms are less well-known, but they are quite common in some areas of the world. Unlike many other parasites that infect the digestive system, mango worms target the skin.
These parasites originally came from Africa. You may sometimes hear people call them mango flies, as they’re technically tropical blowflies.
Mango worms get into your dog’s skin when they’re larvae. When they’re inside the skin, they consume that tissue to fuel their growth. That is why they’re parasites: they feed off your dog.
Are There Mango Worms in the United States?
Mango worms are much rarer in the United States than they are on the continent of Africa. If you live on the continent of Africa, your dog is much more likely to end up with mango worms than if you live elsewhere.
The mango fly is common in the tropical regions of Africa. If you live somewhere where mango worms are common, your dog is at high risk of ending up with this kind of infestation. You should also consider the risk if you’re traveling with your dog to an area with mango flies.
How Do Mango Worms Infect Dogs?
Mango worms often hide in the soil, especially when it contains feces. The soil is where mango worms deposit their eggs, and these eggs develop into larvae. These larvae need to find a host to continue developing.
If you’re a dog owner, you know how much dogs adore playing in the dirt. And it’s through doing this that they often end up with mango worms on their skin. The larvae in the dirt make their way into the dog’s skin. They do this by burrowing, causing irritation and distress for your dog.
The larvae eat your dog’s tissue to fuel their growth. A red boil forms at the site where a mango fly larva burrows into the skin. Inside this boil is a maggot worm. Once the maggots are full-grown, they burst out of the skin.
Mango Worm Symptoms
Recognizing your dog has mango worms can be tricky, as there are often no symptoms at first. Your dog may not feel anything after the larvae get onto and into their skin.
Symptoms usually won’t start until the mango worm larva starts developing within the skin. There may be boils or pimples on your dog’s body if they have mango worms. Your dog will probably scratch a lot and try to bite at his skin. He will probably also seem generally distressed.
Let’s take a look at some symptoms of a mango worm infestation in your dog:
- Itching.
- Skin redness.
- Blisters or boils.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Fever.
- Unusual behavior.
Getting Rid of Mango Worms in Your Dog
Bring the dog to a vet right away if you suspect he has mango worms. If you are not from an area that usually has mango worms, make sure to disclose your travel history to your veterinarian.
The veterinarian will decide the best way to proceed with treatment. You must not attempt to do any of these things yourself. Your dog could end up with a serious infection if you do.
Treatment is aimed at removing the burrowing worm from your dog’s skin.
Special Injections
Your veterinarian will probably say that your canine companion needs special injections to deal with his mango worms. That may include epinephrine and lidocaine injections. These fluids can help flush the larvae out. In some cases, the larvae may still need to be physically removed. Lidocaine is a topical anesthetic that can help make this less uncomfortable for your pet.
Suffocating the Larvae
When veterinarians decide to use this method, they need to remove each boil’s scab. They will then put on a substance like sterile wax or jelly to suffocate the larvae. It goes over the black dots specifically. The larvae may then try to crawl out and can be removed.
Popping the Boils
With this method, your veterinarian will squeeze the boils. It must be done in a sterile way to avoid infection. The vet will take out each larva.
Be aware that your dog is at risk of skin infections when they have mango worms. The presence of the worms causes severe irritation, and if bacteria get in, your pet could end up needing antibiotics.
Mango Worm Prevention for Dogs
A crucial element to preventing a mango worm infestation is remembering where they come from: the soil. Stop your dog from playing in soil that might be contaminated with these worms. In other words, try to prevent him from coming in contact with soil that might contain feces or urine.
Keep an eye on your dog’s coat and give him regular grooming. Keeping his coat and skin clean will go a long way in keeping him healthy.
Can Mango Worms Infect Humans?
You are less likely to contract mango worms than your dog. After all, you don’t have fur for the parasites to latch onto to get into your skin, and you don’t roll around in the dirt like your canine companion.
One way that a human could end up with mango worms, however, is if their clothes get contaminated with mango fly eggs. It could happen, for example, if you hang your clothes out to dry in a place that has mango flies.
Final Thoughts: Mango Worms in Dogs
As we’ve learned here, mango worms can be a severe problem for dogs. While they’re rare in the United States, you should still be aware of the issue. If you live in areas of the world where mango worms are common, be especially vigilant in stopping an infestation in your pet’s skin.
Take your dog to a vet immediately for treatment if you suspect an infection.