Fly Strike in Rabbits

What is fly strike?

During the summer months, pet rabbits may be affected by maggot infestation. Different terms are used for this but fly strike is a common one. Another is to say that the rabbit is fly blown. The technical term your vet might use is myiasis. Healthy rabbits are generally not affected by fly strike. There are three main problems that lead to the condition. First, a wound to which the flies are attracted and on which they lay their eggs is an obvious site where maggots can cause damage. More commonly, a rabbit that cannot take and eat its caescotrophs will quickly have matted and soiled fur around its anus. This, from the fly's point of view, is an ideal opportunity to lay eggs. When the maggots hatch, if the rabbit cannot groom itself, these fly larvae survive, spread and may cause a tremendous amount of damage as they eat through the tissues. Thirdly, damp bedding is an ideal environment for egg-laying and maggot growth and development. These may then migrate onto the confined rabbit

Ensuring your rabbit is not prone to fly strike

The key factors in preventing fly 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 him taking caecotrophs. 

What are these likely to be?

Dental disease can cause inability to groom. 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. Your rabbit's teeth should be checked regularly by your veterinary surgeon and appropriate treatment given if necessary.

"Dental disease can cause inability to groom. 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."

Rabbits with back problems may not be able to turn around to groom properly, as will those with abdominal pain, especially uterine adenocarcinoma. 

Physical constraints such as obesity or physical confinement in an overly small hutch may also impede the taking of caecotrophs.

There is nothing, however, to replace regular checking. In the height of summer fly strike may occur within a few hours so your rabbit must be checked at least every 3 or 4 hours.

Treatment for fly strike

The animal will need to be sedated or anaesthetised so that all the maggots can be removed and the whole area well disinfected with an antiseptic solution. Your rabbit will need antibiotics since there is a major probability of secondary bacterial involvement. In severe cases intravenous fluids may be needed. Ivermectin may be given to kill any remaining maggots. In such cases your rabbit will be hospitalised and kept warm and comfortable. Such intensive care may cure your rabbit of the maggot infestation but in extreme cases surgery may be needed to remove all the dead maggot-ridden tissue. It is therefore much better to prevent problems in the first place!