Dogs eat anything and everything that gets in their way, especially when they are very young and want to explore everything. Dogs are naturally curious, especially when going for walks. They can easily pick up many things, most of which are nasty, and you would not want them to touch. Every dog owner has indisputably experienced a moment of panic when his or her dog picks up and eats something they should not eat.
Unfortunately, dogs sometimes eat dead animals, including dead or living birds. If you are wondering why your dog ate a dead bird, don’t worry. It is very common for dogs to eat dead items that they pick up. If your dog ate a dead bird, he would usually have symptoms of a stomach upset, which include vomiting and diarrhea.
These symptoms often go away after a day or two and should not cause much concern. If you notice your dog acting sickly or wired after eating a dead bird, take him to the vet immediately for professional check-up and advice.
My Dog Ate A Dead Bird, Should I Be Worried?
Dogs are more resilient when it comes to eating things that are supposed to be a health risk. Luckily, they cannot die from eating such foods. In most cases, dogs will be experiencing an upset stomach, and they react by having diarrhea and vomiting. If they start showing the symptoms, monitor the dog and check for other associated symptoms such as loss of appetite and lethargy. If the dog is behaving normally, there is no need to worry so much. However, if the dog is behaving oddly, you may need to take home remedies to manage the stomach upset.
What to Do If the Dog Ate a Bird
Generally, dogs will be fine after eating a dead or alive bird. There is no need to cause panic, and when the dog shows signs of stomach upset, there are steps to take. The steps help to ensure the dog remain comfortable until the upset goes away. The steps recommended by experts include;
- Start by withdrawing food for 12-24 hours.
- Give only small amounts of water while the dog is going through fasting.
- Resume feeding the dog with an ordinary diet. Ensure you give small but frequent amounts of food.
- Gradual feeding should continue, and then slowly increase the feeding if the dog is no longer vomiting or if the stool is back to normal.
What Happens If A Dog Ate A Dead Bird With Maggots?
Maggots are not poisonous for the dog, and they are too small to cause any major damage to the dog unless he ingests a large number of maggots. A dog that has eaten maggots rarely shows any symptoms and can go on with life just fine. However, the concerning issue for dog owners when the dog eats these worms is the terrible diseases that parasites can cause to dogs.
Maggots are pure protein, and on their own, they are not poisonous. The dog has strong stomach acid that neutralizes the maggots. The main concern is the effect of the dog eating decayed flesh that might have bacteria in it.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Ate Maggots?
Maggots are nothing more than the early stage of flies and are usually found in decayed environments because flies like to lay eggs on rotten food. They are white and squirmy larvae of flies such as blowflies and houseflies. Even though they bear a resemblance to harmful parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms, maggots themselves are not very harmful.
The food that the dog ate is more concerning than the maggots. Maggots reproduce in rotten environments and indicate that whatever the dog ate is not healthy and can be more toxic than the maggot. Maggots are rich in protein and are commonly seen in animal excrement.
Most dogs experience a condition called Coprophagia, where they find their poop interesting and is usually solved by deworming. The other serious issue that maggots can pose is Myiasis. Myiasis occurs if the dog has cut wounds and flies and maggots latch on.
My Dog Ate Maggots, Will It Get Sick?
Due to the dog’s scavenging nature, puppies and dogs have a natural habit of wanting to eat anything and everything they find outside. The gut flora has evolved over ages allowing them to digest rotten or raw meat, so maggots are not much of a concern. The strong stomach acids, just like other foods that the dogs eat, will readily digest them.
Vomiting and diarrhea from the bacteria that the dog ingested is the real problem. This warrants an immediate visit to the vet for medical treatment. Additionally, by being near maggots, the dog runs the risk of contracting Myiasis. The dog has a higher chance of finding and eating maggots if they are attracted to him in the first place.
Dogs play in grass areas where birds and other animals may be found. The dead birds carry maggots that can be transferred to the dog, especially if he has any open wounds and cuts.
Myiasis occurs when the flies lay eggs in the cut or open wound, the eggs hatch and turn into maggots which eventually eat the skin tissue of the dog. The maggots eat as they grow bigger and dig further into the wound.
They can also eat healthy tissue which causes further damage. The maggots live inside the wound, preventing it from healing quickly. The maggots spread progressively throughout the body of the dog and cause serious health issues to the dog.
As the maggots bury more and more in the dog’s body, they become more rooted in the skin and body. They start chewing away from the essential organs of the dog’s body. Besides, they release toxins through excrement, which begins to make the dog sick and starts showing symptoms such as fever, shock and lethargy.
There are two types of Myiasis
- Cavitary Myiasis– this is ales common situation where the maggots continuously spread inside the body structures like nose, mouth and ears.
- Cutaneous Myiasis– this is an infestation of the maggots within the dog’s skin and wounds.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Myiasis?
If the dog already has wounds, sores or skin damage, it makes him prone to maggot infestations. However small the cuts can be, they become enlarged if the dog bites or scratches it. Scratches from other objects or fights with other dogs can further irritate the dog and make the wound bigger and more accessible to the flies.
If the dog experiences constant allergies, infection and rashes, they increase the risk of contracting Myiasis. Poor hygiene also contributes to the dog being more susceptible to maggot infestation. Myiasis always happens in skin surfaces of the dog where the tongue cannot reach.
Dog wounds often heal quicker when the dog licks it because the saliva has tissue- repairing component. When the dog licks their wounds where the maggots are, the tongue will eliminate them in the infected area. Infestation is common in hot and humid areas or during summer when the flies are highly likely to lay eggs.
If your dog spends quality time in grass areas where dead animals can be found, they are likely to attract the maggots that the animals have. Domestic dogs also contract Myiasis from each other because the larvae are passed through infected fur.
The Dangers of the Dog Eating Rotten Meat
Eating rotten meat can make dogs sick. Even though the dog’s stomach is very acidic, some bacteria such as staphylococcus and salmonella can survive and infect the body. Symptoms of food poisoning include some combination of reduced appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and lethargy.
If the poisoning is severe, the dog can display neurological issues such as tremors, lack of balance and even seizures. The symptoms and severity of food poisoning differ depending on how much rotten the dead bird was and the sensitivity of the dog’s stomach. If the dog eats the carcass of a dead bird, the dog can become infected with several parasites like Coccidia and roundworms.
How to Tell If Your Dog Has Maggots
If you can spot the maggots on the dog before he eats them, you will be able to eliminate them successfully. The most common sign of maggots in dogs is the striking appearance on the dog’s coat, skin or wound. The maggots are usually found one at a time, and the female flies can lay up to 75 to 150 eggs at a go.
Maggots are easy to spot if you look very closely to the dog’s fur as they are always swirling or moving around. The maggot’s size is usually a quarter to 1 inch long, and when they begin to dig into the dog’s skin, you can identify them by the holes that they create through burrowing. You can also see the fly’s eggs on the dog’s coat and skin as they usually come in the shape of a stick and can be as large as a single grain of rice.
If you notice that the dog is often getting up, scratching, fidgeting, biting or scraping himself, it could be a sign of Myiasis. Check the areas that the dog cannot lick first, which are usually behind the ears, head and centre of the back. It would be best if you also considered the warmer, moist places such as under the tail and between the toes.
Myiasis Prevention and Treatment
There are numerous ways to treat and prevent Myiasis. Whether you live in a rural or an urban area, you should take extra precaution to ensure the dog does not eat or contract maggots. Prevention is best achieved through closely monitoring the dog’s deworming and vaccination calendar, which is provided by the vet.
You should also investigate the dog’s skin and coat regularly to ensure that the dog does not have any open wound or cuts. If you find any cut or wound in the dog’s skin, clean thoroughly, apply antiseptics and put a breathable bandage. Proper hygiene is also a very important defense against maggots. Brush and bathe the dog often to remove any urine, feces and dirt from his skin. By getting rid of dirty areas, you lower the chances of the dog getting underlying skin problems that can lead to Myiasis.
Dogs need sufficient exercise and run around to build their stamina. However, if your dog is less mobile or old, try and minimize their outdoor time, especially in grass areas. T is not very difficult to keep maggots away from the dog if you constantly check their skin and keep them inside.
When a dog contracts Myiasis, he needs to be treated actively. The best way is to take him to the vet, where he can remove visible maggots quickly and safely. The vet will use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the wound and kill the maggots with iodine or other antibacterial solution. The wound is then wrapped in an airtight manner to suffocate the remaining larvae, and the wrapper replaced daily. If the maggots have dug deeper into the body, antibiotics and other worm killing medications should be used.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Killing Birds?
Killing birds is a dog’s skill and habit you want to break. Below are some tips to consider changing behavior.
- Have a retractable leash to enable you to control the dog when walking in areas prone to have birds. This trains the dog to feel comfortable in the presence of birds.
- Reward good behavior with dog treats. When walking with the dog, have treats to reward the dog for not chasing after a bird. The treats also add nutritional value to the dog.
- If the dog is known to attack and eat birds, a muzzle is very helpful. Use a lightweight muzzle that is lightweight and comfortable for the dog.
- Be patient with the dog and keep in mind that the dog can relapse despite having been successfully trained.
The Bottom Line
Dogs are drawn to things that smell. When it comes to dead animals, don’t be surprised if the dog loves to play and eat them. If your dog eats a dead bird, there is no reason to be very concerned. Often, the dog will get minor stomach upsets and manifest through vomiting and diarrhea. Home management remedies are sufficient, but if the dog persists, you need to go to the vet.