Fly Strike Can Affect Your Pet Rabbit

This is one of the more unpleasant topics when it comes to taking care of your pet rabbit, but it is an important topic and it needs to be discussed if you want to make informed choices when handling and cleaning your bunny.

Fly strike is a malady that occurs mainly during warmer seasons. Flies are attracted to warm, moist areas on the rabbit. They are also attracted to odor. This means that if your bunny has fecal matter clinging to its fur, it is a prime target for flies to latch on and lay their eggs. Cuts and open wounds are also attractive locations for a fly. Once a fly has laid its eggs, it usually takes less than one day for the eggs to hatch and the maggots to emerge. The small, white maggots will emerge in a disgusting, writhing mass and quickly begin to burrow into your rabbit's flesh. The rabbit will quickly go into shock from the burrowing maggots and unless he receives immediate medical attention he will likely die.

If fly strike has occurred on your rabbit, the first step to take is to remove all of the maggots. Every maggot must be removed, as well as every egg. If you leave any maggots on or in the rabbit, he will likely develop and infection and die. You can tell when a maggot is inside the rabbit when you see a little wriggling spot under the rabbit's skin. As soon as you have removed all the visible maggots, immediately take your bunny to a veterinarian for further care.

Preventing fly strike is usually fairly straightforward. Keep wounds or sores well dressed and cleaned. If your rabbit has long hair on its hind end then it is important to keep that hair shaved. Long hair can grow moist and fecal matter will cling easily to it and so the best solution is simply to remove the hair. During warm seasons, continuously inspect your rabbits fur. Use cleansers such as nolvasan to clean dirty areas on your rabbit's body.

If you have done everything in your power to keep your rabbit clean and fly strike has still occurred, don't blame yourself. This condition can happen so rapidly that sometimes there is next to nothing you can do. Just take the appropriate steps to remedy the problem. If you catch it in time and your rabbit is healthy and resilient, there is a good chance your bunny will survive this disgusting affliction and live to see another happy day.