Flystrike is a particularly unpleasant and upsetting disease which we see every summer. It occurs when flies lay their eggs on your rabbit, these turn into numerous maggots that literally eat your rabbit alive. Maggots can cause extensive damage as they penetrate the skin and damage deeper tissues. If not caught early flystrike can be fatal.

Flies typically lay their eggs in warm, humid conditions and are attracted to faeces, urine and open wounds. The eggs can hatch into maggots in less than 24 hours, therefore it is essential that your rabbit is kept as clean as possible and inspected twice daily to ensure that faecal material does not build up on the fur.

Following the few simple hygiene procedures below can greatly reduce the chance of flystrike occurring:

• Clean out your rabbit daily, ensuring that you remove faeces and urine. Use a hutch spray on the floor of the hutch to reduce the odour.
• Never leave old rotting food either in or near the run/hutch.
• Ensure that your rabbit is receiving a high fibre diet and is being fed the correct foods. Please ask one of our vets/nurses for further advice.
• Check the back end of your rabbit twice daily – especially around the tail area.
• If faecal material accumulates on your rabbit’s bottom remove it carefully and wash him immediately with warm water and seek veterinary advice. He may benefit from having his fur shaved to help keep him clean.
• Put flypaper in and around the run/hutch.
• If your rabbit develops diarrhoea clip off the hair and wash the back end twice daily, check for maggots.
• Apply Rear Guard. This does not repel flies but prevents maggots from forming on or damaging your rabbit.
• At the first sign of any maggots contact us immediately, as any delay in treatment can be fatal for your rabbit.