Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Rabbits > fly strike

fly strike

22 10:45:59

Question
QUESTION: Hi Dr.Krempels-
I was directed here by Jenn at binkybunny.com. I am a volunteer at a humane society in dayton, OH. Four weeks ago we got in a small white new zealand. I would say just a few months of age. She weighed only about 3lb. She was found out in a park by some children and brought to us. At first she had open wounds on each of her feet. Red, live tissue with crusty edges. Our humane society vet isnt very bun savvy. She didn't wish to treat these wounds so we just put topical Neosporin on them twice a day. Both have healed. Well, two weeks ago she had two areas of fly strike on her right side pop open. I was not there so I dont know the details. I do know they were cleaned out and she was started on Baytril. Last week on Tuesday she had a third place open up. They cleaned it out and it did have fly larvae in it. On Wed the next day I noticed a bump just north of where the last fly strike had been cleaned near her right shoulder blade. The area was not hard at this time. Vet tech said she and the vet was aware. Well, on friday it had grown in size. Vet said that it was granulation tissue from the fly strike area that was cleaned. Well, I came in today and now the site is the size of a golfball and hard as a rock. Since it has grown its now pretty much right between her shoulder blades. Our vet doesnt want to do anything about it. We are a humane society so our vet isn't vet savvy but does try.
I'm afraid we will lose her. Every place I read says fly strike is an emergent issue. We only have a few buns at a time and this is the first time I have even seen fly strike. Normally this bun loves attention but shes very irritable and thumps at us and hides when she sees us.
Should we just take her to an outside vet or is there something else we can do that you could suggest?
Thank you in advance!
Heather

ANSWER: Dear Heather,

From your description, this sounds more like warbles (botfly larvae) than fly strike.  I will be better able to tell if you can answer these questions:

1.  In each of the spots that "opened up" were there multiple fly larvae, or a single, large maggot?

2.  Does this bunny have any open wounds or sore skin that is attracting flies?  

True myasis (fly strike) is characterized by large, open wounds covered with multiple maggots that start out the size of tiny grains of rice and increase in size to about 1/2" before they drop off and pupate.  But before that time, they can burrow into the flesh and cause tremendous, potentially fatal damage.

Warbles, on the other hand, is very gross but not as acutely dangerous.  A single, large maggot inhabits a cyst it creates in the tissue under the skin, and it grows there until large enough to pupate, then drops out of the hole and is gone forever.  The cyst often becomes infected, though, necessitating antibiotics and possibly surgical removal of the abscess if it becomes properly encapsulated.

I'd recommend you try to get this poor little gal to a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.  If it's true fly strike (blowfly larvae), it's an emergency and life-threatening.  Botflies are less of an emergency, but still so disgusting that you'll want to get them treated ASAP.

I hope this helps.  Please let me know how she does, if you have time.

Take care, and thank you for being her guardian angel!  She will become sweet again once she feels better.  It's the ones with attitude that are the smartest and nicest once you gain their trust!  :)  And New Zealand bunnies have tons of personality.  (Can you tell I'm coaxing you into adopting her?  ;)  )

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for responding! I will keep you in my favorites for future use if needed. lol
Well, there is only one other couple who care for the buns who know anything about them. I emailed them yesterday with your response. They went in and took Lilly to their vet and it ends up that large spot was an abscess. It was drained and then a drain placed in it. She is also on Metacam, Benebac and Penicillin injections.
We have a new rabbit vet that our local house rabbit society has suggested we use so I am going to call tomorrow and see if I can meet with her. She is new but has buns and does see them in her new practice. Hopefully she can help with our shelter buns.
Again, thank you so much!

Answer
Dear Heather,

Wow, poor bunny!  Sounds as if she's got a good vet on the case, though.  I'm sure she'll be fine.  

I'll be going out of town tomorrow morning (nephew's wedding in CA), but will be back next Wednesday.  If you have questions you think I might be able to answer between now and then, it's probably best to email me directly at dana@miami.edu--though I'm not sure I'll have email access where I'm going.  (primitive SoCal!)  But I'll try my best.

Take care, and thanks for looking after all the bunnies!

Dana