canine myiasis and its causal agents in northeastern iran

background: myiasis is defined as the infestation of live human and vertebrate animals with dipterous larvae for a certain period. there are reports indicating that dogs are the most common species affected by myiasis. this study was conducted to identify myiasis-causing flies in owned and stray dogs in mashhad (northeastern iran). methods: a total of 435 owned dogs and 800 stray dogs were examined for myia­sis. myiasis cases were cured and fly larvae were identified by microscopy using the relevant standard identification keys. results : ten out of 435 owned dogs (2.29 %) and 18 out of 800 stray dogs (2.25 %) had myiasis. the causative agents of myiasis in dogs based on their fre­quencies were as follows: wohlfahrtia magnifica (50%), lucilia sericata (28.57%) and chrysomya albiceps (21.42%). conclusion : w. magnifica was the most important myiasis-causing fly among the dogs sampled here, sometimes causing very serious damages. however, when treatment was given early enough, the larvae removed and the wound disinfected, the animals usually made a full recovery.