Flystrike, or Myiasis, is most common in the summer months. A mucky back end for whatever reason , for example urine leakage, diarrhoea or matted droppings attracts flies (blowflies). These flies lay their eggs around the tail base. The eggs hatch out into maggots which burrow deep into the skin around the bunnies tail and eat away at the flesh.

Flystrike can develop rapidly and is distressing for patients, owners and vets.

Rabbit with flystrike are often very depressed and in severe cases can die.

Usually once we examine the rabbit there is evidence of underlying disease which stops them from proper grooming around the back end and also from eating the night droppings (caecotrophs ) which are an essential source of a rabbits diet, providing vital nutrients.

Some rabbits leave excess amounts of caecotrophs in the cage,

either

Because they can't reach the anal area due to:

• obesity e.g. overweight females with big dewlaps flaps of skin over anal area
• spinal disease e.g. spondylosis (bony bridges form between vertebrae),
• osteoarthritis (especially older rabbits) painful abdomen pain inhibits coprophagy
• pain in general

or

Because they are unable to eat the droppings despite being able to reach them.

This is the case if your rabbit is suffering from

• dental disease which Deidre is talking about
• Flystrike can strike very quickly, there are several things that can be done to minimise the chances of it occurring.
  Check your rabbits bottom twice daily in the summer
• Always make sure their bedding is clean and dry as cleanliness is essential to prevent disease. Caking of caecotrophs and sitting in wet soiled bedding predisposes to flystrike.
• Remove soiled bedding daily and clean out hutch completely at least once or twice a week depending on the size of the hutch and the no of rabbits housed there
• A Vapona fly strip hung just outside the hutch may help reduce flies
• If your bunny has long fur, e.g. Angora breeds then we may need to clip around their back end for you to make it easier for you to keep them clean and dry.

  When we see fly stricken rabbits we have to clip and clean the areas affected, remove all the fly larvae or maggots, and give Abs and painkillers. Sometimes general anaesthetic is required and some rabbits may die of shock later, depending how badly they are affected. Any bunny affected will probably need a lot of intensive care to get them through it if they are going to survive.