When warmer weather arrives, the common problem of fly strike is something that all rabbit owners need to be aware of. It’s a really distressing condition for owners and especially for the rabbit. But there’s good news, it can be prevented!

What is Fly Strike?

Fly strike is a condition caused by certain flies, like the bluebottle, that are attracted to dirty or wet fur. Usually, it’s around the bottom area that’s affected, but open wounds, cuts and scratches can also be affected.

The flies lay their eggs on the rabbit, and then, within a few hours, the fly eggs hatch into maggots. The maggots then start to burrow and eat into the skin of the rabbit. This causes severe suffering to the poor rabbit because it’s basically being eaten alive.

Symptoms of Fly Strike in Rabbits

You may not be able to see the maggots if your rabbit has long hair, or they may be under matted fur or fur soiled by faecal material. So, being able to identify the early signs of fly strike in rabbits is important.

So, if your rabbit's behaviour changes and they are displaying fly strike symptoms such as restlessness, irritation, wet fur, smelly around areas like the tail, has stopped eating or suddenly becomes aggressive, take your bunny to see your vet immediately.

Fly strike can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you think your rabbit has fly strike, speak to your vet immediately. If it’s out of hours, call an emergency vet.

How Common is Fly Strike in Rabbits?

Fly strike is quite common in the warmer months, from around April to October, so be particularly wary during the summer months. But the risk of fly strike happening can be any time of year, so it’s important to be aware of this condition all year round, just in case!

Causes of Fly Strike in Rabbits

It’s most common in rabbits that are kept outside, but house rabbits can also be affected. Rabbits most at risk, though, are those that have a dirty bottom or are kept in dirty housing. Long-haired rabbits are also more susceptible because they’re likely to get droppings caught up in their long hair, which can be difficult for them to keep clean.

Other causes of a dirty bottom include dental disease, spinal injury or old age, which can make cleaning painful for your bunny. If your bunny can’t balance properly or is too fat, they may not be able to clean themselves properly. A bad diet can mean they produce too many droppings for them to clean.

Urine infections can make their urine particularly smelly, which can attract flies. Uterine problems can also produce abnormal and smelly discharges, which can be painful, causing your bunny to stop cleaning themselves.

Fly Strike Treatment for Rabbits

If it’s caught early, fly strike can be treated, but it all depends on how much damage the maggots have already caused.

Your vet will need to clip your bunny’s fur around the affected area of fly strike and wash away any maggots. Surgery might be required to remove any maggots that have burrowed into the skin. In severe cases, any dead or infected skin will also need to be removed.

After surgery, your rabbit will need some antibiotics to help fight any infection. They might also need some fluid therapy and painkillers to help them get better.

Fly strike wounds can take a long time to heal, which means your bunny could be at risk of fly strike again. Further infection can also be a problem. During the healing process, the rabbit must be nursed carefully to make sure there aren’t any complications.

Rabbit Fly Strike Home Treatment

If you suspect your rabbit has fly strike, it’s essential to act quickly, but at-home treatment should only be a first step. Gently trim away any matted fur around the affected area, use saline to clean visible wounds, and remove any maggots you can safely reach.

Avoid using over-the-counter creams unless instructed by a vet, as some products can be toxic to rabbits. Even if your rabbit seems stable, fly strike is a medical emergency, you must contact a vet right away for proper treatment and to prevent further harm.

How to Prevent Fly Strike in Rabbits

Prevention is definitely better than cure when it comes to fly strike. It’s so important that you do all you can to reduce the risk and prevent your rabbit from getting fly strike.

Some top tips for preventing fly strike:

• Make sure your bunny isn’t overweight and is fed a healthy diet.
• Ask your vet to check that your bunny hasn’t got any underlying problems that could make them more at risk of fly strike.
• Check them twice a day for a dirty bottom or tail, and clean them immediately if they are dirty.
• Check their fur isn’t wet and keep an eye out for maggots.
• If your rabbit is at risk, it might be safer to keep them inside.
• Clean their house and litter tray every day.
• Use nets over their hutch and run to prevent flies from getting in.
• Ask your vet about Rearguard; this is a liquid that can be applied to the tail area using a sponge to help prevent maggots from hatching.

Prevention is the best course of action when it comes to fly strike! But, if you’re unlucky and your bunny is affected, don’t forget that fly strike in rabbits is an emergency… take your bunny to the vet immediately!

Everypaw Rabbit Insurance

It’s always a good idea to think about taking out pet insurance for your rabbit to help with the costs of new unexpected illnesses or injuries. Rabbit insurance can give you the peace of mind the cost of medication, vet prescribed complementary treatment or surgery can be covered.  At Everypaw, we have a choice of Lifetime policies so you can find the right cover for you and your bunny.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Lapis – www.vetlexicon.com/treat/lapis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.