Any animal can suffer from fly strike (or being fly-blown) and describes an animal affected by a maggot infestation. We commonly see it in rabbits and hedgehogs.

Flies pose a huge risk for rabbits during the warmer weather, although, healthy rabbits are generally not affected by y strike. The main problems that lead to the condition include:

A WOUND

– a rabbit which is physically unable or too fat to groom its rear end of normal caecotrophs (moist ‘faeces’)

– a rabbit that is suffering from ‘diarrhoea’ or urinary problems and has matted and soiled fur around the bottom

DAMP BEDDING

These conditions attract flies who consider these to be ideal sites to lay their eggs and in a very short time, these eggs will hatch out as esh eating maggots. The maggots can cause a tremendous amount of d.amage within hours as they eat through the tissues. This is a serious, often fatal condition and quick veterinary attention is required.

PREVENTING FLY STRIKE

The key factors in preventing y strike are to ensure that bedding is dry, that the rabbit does not have any wounds or ulcerated areas of skin and that there are no problems to prevent grooming.

Grooming problems can be due to:

– Dental disease: An animal which has sharp hooks on its molar or cheek teeth will not want to groom since these hooks cause pain when the rabbit extends its tongue to groom in the normal manner. Similarly, overgrown incisor teeth (at the front of the mouth) will impede grooming. Your rabbit’s teeth should be checked regularly by your veterinary surgeon and appropriate treatment given if necessary.

– Back problems: Arthritic pain or spinal injury may prevent your rabbit from being able to turn round to groom properly.

– Obesity: It is important to get your rabbit’s diet right with 80% of the diet consisting of hay or grass and a carefully measured daily portion of a pellet style rabbit food (not muesli-style)

Check your rabbit thoroughly TWICE a day during the summer months for eggs and/or maggots. Rearguard is a liquid that prevents the maggots from developing to the stage that causes damage to the rabbit. Regularly apply the contents of a bottle to your rabbit’s hindquarters for 10 weeks of protection.