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The dangers of flystrike in rabbits
July 2011
Yet again, with the warmer weather, we are seeing rabbits affected with maggots. This happens when flies lay eggs around the rabbit's rear end, especially if the rear is dirty or matted. This very unpleasant and sometimes fatal problem is wholly preventable. Some key points you can do are:
ensure your rabbit's rear is clean. If it isn't, then ask us for advice
check your rabbit daily
use net curtains or fine netting to reduce fly entry into a hutch
use REARGUARD every 10 weeks on your rabbit. This is easily applied and protects against the maggots. This is a prescription treatment for which your rabbit needs to be under our care.
Flystrike is characterised by the speed with which it can kill a rabbit. Often, the owner will not be aware of a problem until fly eggs laid on the animal have hatched into maggots. By this time, it may be too late, as the larvae will already have started quite literally 'devouring' the rabbit.
Rearguard® comes in liquid formulation in a single-use bottle with a sponge applicator making it easy to apply to the rabbit's fur. It remains effective for 10 weeks. Flystrike 'season' in the UK runs from at least April to October. We will apply this free of charge (you pay for the Rearguard) on request (and when prescribed).
Rabbits are now included in our Gold Club - click here for more information.
