Cuterebra is the scientific name of the North American rabbit or rodent botfly. Cuterebra larvae develop within the tissues of certain animal hosts, and during this stage, they can accidentally infect cats. Cats are most commonly infected when hunting rodents or rabbits and encounter the botfly larvae near the entryway to a rodents burrow. Cuterebra larvae are opportunistic parasites of cats, dogs, and ferrets. The larvae are embedded in the skin and cause a parasitic infection called cuterebriasis. The larvae can cause a fistulous swelling that may exude purulent exudate. The hair is often matted, and a subcutaneous swelling is present beneath the lesions. Most cases of warbles in cats occur around the head and neck. The clinical signs are often associated with the central nervous system and typically occur between July and September. Cats may have depression, lethargy, or seizures; upper respiratory infections; or abnormal body temperatures (either hyperthermia or hypothermia). Cuterebra larvae are not usually a major problem for the animal and are easily dealt with by a veterinarian. At the Cat Clinic, they use a combination of local anesthesia, flushing the wound, and delicate forceps to pluck them from their burrow. It’s important not to try this at home, as accidentally rupturing the worm is easy and can lead to infection or even life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Cuterebra larvae become really dangerous when they migrate to the wrong spot and end up in the nose (blocking off the flow of air), the inner ear (causing balance and hearing issues), or even the brain (causing a severe and life-threatening disease called “Feline Ischemic Encephalopathy). These conditions require immediate veterinary attention. The best prevention is to keep cats from hunting rodents. When this is impossible, and if you live in an area with numerous rodents, rabbits, or other small mammals, you should regularly inspect your cat for signs of warbles.