THANE: The strays have been the most vulnerable during the monsoon with city-based veterinarians and NGOs claiming that they have been getting many cases of animals suffering from maggots and skin infections.A city-based NGO stated that since the onset of the monsoons this year, they have received more than 70 rescue with regard to strays.“Since strays do not have a shelter or a place to stay dry, they are wet for long durations during the rains. Also, as their fur does not get dry fast they suffer from fungal growth in the skin and at times even puss is formed. In the past few days we have received over 70 calls from animal lovers out of which 50 were regarding strays. During this season it takes twice the time for the wounds to heal,” said Aditi Nair, founder of Pet Owners and Animal Lovers (PAL).The NGO also treated a seven-year-old stray who was rescued from Samta Nagar was found suffering from a severe maggot wound.“She had maggot wounds on the face and back and even lost one eye as the flesh was eaten by the maggots. There were over 1,000 maggots on her body and even her temperature was low when she was brought in as she was in a state of hypothermia . Her condition is better now,” Nair said.Dr Hemant Thange, a city-based veterinarian said, The older dogs usually find it difficult to find a shelter during the rains. “ Even a small injury during this season can worsen if the furry ones are unable to keep themselves clean as often flies sit on the wounds and lay eggs. These eggs then turn into larva that turns into maggots which infect the wound and eat the flesh of the animal. The number of such cases have doubled since the rains started,” Thange said.The doctors have said that animals are also prone to other problems like fungal infections, boils and itching. Experts say if animals spot the strays with such conditions they should be immediately taken to vets.“If one comes across a dog suffering from an allergy or a skin infection they could clean the wound and apply any cream on it. Theycan themselves do the dressing or take them to a vet. It is important to know the cause of the infection as it even could be an allergy,” Dr Thange added.

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