Worms in otters

The otter I caught over the weekend is the second one in 2 years that has had long, white worms in the leg meat. I looked on the internet and apparently this is seen in several mustelids. Anyone else seen this?

Here is page from the MI DNR on the worms: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79608_85016-27119--,00.html

Pretty common in aquatic critters as well as ungulates that spend time in the water........ like moose


Dracunculus Insignis in most critters but Dracunculus lutrae in otters

Seen for years in otters and coons.

Guinea worms in the ankle joints. Subcutaneous worms under the skin all over the body.

Yup. No experience with otters, whatsoever but have seen 'ankle worms' in skunks, coons and badgers.

They are not in the meat, but in the fluid surrounding the joints, It is a little creepy when you open up the leg to skin, and they pop out all coiled up and squirmy.



Charlie

Yep, they almost looked like a tendon at first, but then I pulled out three that were almost 6 inches long. I don't get squeamish over much, but worms in just about anything will do it for me.

These little beauties?

Yep, those are the little devils.

So thats where they get spaghetti.

They actually have a pretty complex and interesting life cycle...........but they are creepy looking

Yuck

Guinea worms in people are a big and disgusting problem in Africa. Infected people spread the worms by going into the same water they drink. The worms come out of their legs and release thousands of eggs, which people then drink, spreading the worms.

Some other parasitic worms in Africa are spread by people defecating in their drinking water. They defecate in the water because they clean themselves up with it, instead of dry wiping.

PBS did a few programs on the parasites problems in Africa, that were interesting and disgusting. The Africans won't listen to the foreign doctors that try to help them, so the doctors pay influential Africans to make the other Africans practice better sanitation, even flogging them when they enter the water, in some cases.

Keith

Damit Logger , you just ruined my supper ..
now I'll never be able to eat spaghetti again ...

Chinese it is then!

Not uncommon in Otter.
Dont worry about it just cook it with noodles.
The chinamen dry them up and call it Ramen.

I have put up a lot of otter. If??? I ever she this I am definitely quitting eating otter……….