Warbles (Cuterebrafly larva) are an unusual type of parasite that can be found on, or living within, the skin of cats. They usually appear as nodules or lumps around the head or neck region.
Often, these nodules are mistaken for plain abscesses, yet on close inspection inside, an actual fly larva, sometimes the size of a grape, will be visible living within a fibrous cavity.
In rare instances, depending on their location, these parasites can adversely affect the brain, leading to severe neurological signs. Needless to say, such unwelcome guests need to be manually extracted by a veterinarian. In addition, the open cavity left over in the skin after extraction will usually require antibiotics in order for fast healing to take place.