26/07/2024
Rabbit owners, do you know about flystrike? ⚠️
Flystrike is a painful, life-threatening condition caused by maggots burrowing under the skin and feeding on flesh.
Any rabbit can get flystrike if flies lay their eggs on their fur, however, there are some factors which put a rabbit at higher risk of developing this nasty condition:
- Time of year - Flystrike is more common in the warm, summer months when flies are most active.
- Dirty bottoms – Dirty, damp fur is the perfect place for flies to lay their eggs, so if your rabbit has a mucky bottom, they are at high risk of flystrike.
- Wounds – Flies are attracted to wounds and will choose to lay their eggs around them. If your rabbit has a wound, always have it checked by your vet as they'll show you how to keep it clean and protected.
Flystrike tends to develop very quickly. It only takes a few hours for their maggots to hatch, and they can eat deep into your rabbit's flesh in as little as 24 hours. So, if you see any maggots on your rabbits, contact your vet straight away 🏥
Thankfully, when treated early, rabbits can recover. But it’s really important to keep a close eye on your rabbits over the warm summer months to prevent flystrike. Here’s some advice from our vets: http://pdsa.me/qVZ8
[Visual description: Two white and grey rabbits in a large hutch together. In a pink circle is a picture of a fly and in a purple circle is a graphic image of maggots around a rabbit's bottom, with a warning symbol next to them.]