Muscoid flies like the house fly and stable fly, along with drosophilid flies like fruit flies, can transmit eye worm nematodes in the genus Thelazia. Many eyeworm species have been identified in the United States in dogs, wildlife, horses and cattle. Heather D.S. Walden, MS, PhD, shares the discovery of Thelazia callipaeda infections in cats and explains the importance of removing the eyeworms, educating owners and being diligent when examining eyes in endemic areas.
Source: Clinician’s Brief, June 2024. Link.
Also see: Emergence of Thelaziosis caused by Thelazia callipaeda in U.S. dogs and cats, CDC, March 2024. Link.