Animal health company Zoetis announces that its Dectomax-CA1 Injectable is the first and only parasite control product to receive conditional approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the prevention and treatment of infestations caused by the larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (myiasis), and prevention of reinfestation for 21 days. This conditional approval applies to beef cattle, female dairy cattle less than 20 months of age, pregnant beef cows, newborn calves and bulls.

Zoetis is committed to supporting livestock producers with scientific solutions for this economically devastating pest. New World screwworm poses a continuing threat to livestock health, and the financial impacts of the disease to the US agricultural economy are estimated in the billions of dollars, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. 

“New World screwworm has the potential to bring unprecedented economic and animal health harm to livestock producers,” said Mike Lormore, director of cattle and pork technical services at Zoetis. “Our top priority is to support keeping animals healthy and provide timely, efficacious solutions to our customers and partners. With this conditional approval, Dectomax-CA1 Injectable can now be used as part of safe, effective control measures against New World screwworm.”

Livestock producers are encouraged to work closely with their herd veterinarian to implement strategic prevention and control measures.

Early detection of New World screwworm and rapid response are critical to protecting the health of animals and the livestock industry. Producers are encouraged to immediately report any suspicious wounds, maggots or infestations to their local accredited veterinarian, state animal health official, or the USDA's APHIS.

In the first half of 2026, producers and veterinarians will begin to see the 250-milliliter and 500-milliliter bottles of Dectomax Injectable with a new label for Dectomax-CA1 (doramectin injection). Dectomax-CA1 is the same effective doramectin formulation as Dectomax Injectable.

Dectomax-CA1 is conditionally approved by FDA pending a full demonstration of effectiveness under NADA 141-616.

Source: Zoetis