It was a warm afternoon when rescuers received a distress call about a stray cat wandering near an abandoned shed. The caller mentioned a strange, large swelling on the cat’s neck that seemed to move. When the rescue team arrived, they found a thin, frightened orange cat crouched under a pile of boards. At first glance, the bulge on her neck looked like an abscess — but then they saw it twitch. The truth was far more horrifying: a huge botfly larva had burrowed under her skin and was alive.
The rescuers quickly took the cat, later named Mimi, to the clinic. She meowed weakly as the veterinarian examined the wound. The larva had made a breathing hole through her skin, and every few seconds, it wriggled, causing Mimi to flinch in pain. The vet carefully explained that the removal must be done gently — squeezing too hard could burst the larva and cause a serious infection.
With steady hands and gentle care, the vet applied a numbing cream and waited. Then, using tweezers, he slowly widened the hole and began to pull. Everyone in the room held their breath as the fat, wriggling botfly larva was extracted — nearly the size of a thumb! The moment it came out, Mimi let out a relieved sigh, her body relaxing for the first time in days.
After the removal, the wound was cleaned and treated with antibiotics. Mimi was given pain relief and lots of affection. Over the next few days, she began to eat again, purring softly each time her caregivers came near. Her fur slowly grew back over the healed wound, and her playful spirit returned.
Today, Mimi is a completely different cat — bright-eyed, healthy, and full of love. Her rescuers say she’s one of the sweetest cats they’ve ever met. What began as a terrifying discovery turned into a story of hope and recovery, proving that with compassion and timely care, even the most painful wounds can heal.
