The
Vet
Phone 01254 53622
The VETerinary Health Centre,
Daisy St.
Blackburn,
Lancashire, BB1 5EW
serving Blackburn, Darwen, Accrington, Rishton, Great Harwood,
Clayton-le-Moors, Oswaldtwistle, Langho, Whalley and Clitheroe
USA:
U.S. Dermatologist Lowell Ackerman has discovered
and used pictures from this website in his new book on Veterinary Dermatology
book
Australia Parts of our website are now being used for teaching vet nurses on
Gilles Plains Campus
JAPAN:
Our Firework Phobia leaflet is now in use in
Japan!! (Download
Japanese version)
Fly
strike or maggot infestation commonly occurs in warm weather usually from
April to October. Where severe fly strike occurs the rabbit will become
seriously ill and often die from the secondary shock.
How can flies harm
my rabbit?
Fly strike can occur
at any time, but particularly during warm and humid weather.
The most common site
for fly strike is around the hindquarters and under the tail, where
droppings become stuck to the fur especially if the rabbit is producing
loose 'runny' faeces.
Flies are attracted
to the soiled areas and lay their eggs on the fur.
The small white eggs
hatch in as little a as 8-10 hours and there can rapidly be hundreds
maggots present within a short period of time.
Within a day or two
the damage caused by the maggots will cause the rabbit to go in to shock
and die.
Preventative
Measures
To keep rabbits
'fly-free' check that their bottoms and the hutch floor are clean and free
of accumulated droppings.
During the warmer
months one should undertake this check twice daily especially in 'at risk'
individuals (e.g. those having loose faeces).
Use Rearguard
every 8 weeks to prevent fly eggs hatching.
Hanging
a fly strip close to the hutch.
If
you suspect fly strike has occurred or can definitely see maggots treat it
as an emergency and see the vet right away.
Protect Your Rabbit
from Flystrike using Rearguard Rearguard
is a liquid application that is sold in a single-use bottle with a
built-in sponge applicator that the owners applies to the hindquarters of
their rabbit. It gives approximately 8 weeks protection from maggot
infestation.
The active product in Rearguard does not repel flies but is a insect
growth inhibitor that prevents maggots developing and becoming big enough
to feed on and damage its skin and deeper structures.
Rearguard