What is the best treatment for maggots in a young hawk's ears?

Using saline in the ears is a safe and effective approach for treating maggots in a young hawk's ears. Saline solution helps to wash out debris and foreign materials, including maggots, without the risk of causing harm to the delicate tissues in the ear canal. This treatment can also help to clean the area and prevent further infection by promoting a healthy environment for healing.

Other treatments, such as antibiotic ointments, are more suited for preventing or addressing bacterial infections, but they do not directly eliminate live maggots. Over-the-counter insecticides may contain harsh chemicals that could be harmful to the bird’s sensitive tissues, and using them in such a confined area could lead to serious complications. Warm water irrigation, while it might provide some cleaning benefits, may not address the maggot issue as effectively as saline, and if not performed carefully, could introduce additional moisture and risk of infection. Therefore, saline is the best option for safely and effectively managing this situation.