Maggots Versus Drugs

Traditional treatments have their place in modern equine veterinary science, as concerns grow over antibiotic use.

- Eleanor Jones

A VET who used maggot therapy to cure a horse’s poll evil is calling for colleagues to consider going back to basics instead of “shoving antibiotics at everything”.

Dylan Gorvy, who trained in Britain but now works in Sweden, had tried other methods of treating the hard-to-reach infection in the neck of Annika Elg’s mare Evita, without success.

But once the maggots had been syringed into the affected area, bandaged in place and left for a few days, the area was flushed out and cleaned – and recovered fully.

Dr Gorvy explained that the maggots release enzymes which break down diseased tissue, without touching healthy cells, and added that he will use them as a first choice to treat the condition in future, rather than a last resort.

“The take-home message, I think, is that we’ve got to get away from shoving antibiotics at everything,” he told H&H.