ribbons021185 Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 (edited) Hello everyone! You may or may not know about 'flystrike'. This happens when bunnies get dirty bottoms, which attract flies, which then lay fly eggs in the wet/dirty area. These eggs ONLY take betwee 8 and 10 hours to hatch into maggots that start to borrow and eat into the flesh around the dirty area. It is very dangerous because the rabbit usually goes into shock very quickly, and can often be fatal. I am telling you this because a few days ago my rabbit came down with flystrike. The day before, he was absolutely normal, his cheeky self who pounced on the hand that feeds him. I went out to feed him the next morning and he was lying down, with his legs stretched out as if he was relaxing, and made no move to try and bite me as usual. I gently pushed him and he still wouldnt get up, and i knew something was very wrong and he was in shock. i picked him up and saw that he had maggots crawling in the area under his tail, so we rushed him to the vet. The vet said we had caught it just in time before any fatal damage could be done, and he was knocked out while they removed all of the maggots from his tail end and in his skin, and dosed him up with an insecticide injection to kill any that may have remained. He is now back at home after a weekend at the vets, and we are using a product called rear-guard, to kill any fly eggs that may be lain on him and stop them hatching. We also have to check his bottom twice a day. It was a terrifying experience, as an expericed bunny owner i never expected this could happen to a healthy bun living in a clean cage. However i now know it only takes one sticky poo to cause this nightmare. the vet said risk indicators can be: Overweight rabbits unable to clean themselves Dirty cages attracting flies Long haired breeds Poor diet causing diahorrea. If you suspect fly strike, get your rabbit to the vets immediatly and don't wait for an appointment, time is of the essence. Don't attempt to wash the maggots off yourself because wet fur is near impossible for the vets to clip away when you arrive, but you can pick off visible maggots youself if you are not squeemish, leave your vet to do the rest. Please please take heed and check your rabbits often. I would hate anyone to have to go through this. Claire xxx Edited September 28, 2005 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 That happened to our rabbit last year but we lost him . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 Crikey I knew fly strike was a problem in lowland sheep that haven't been dagged but never heard of it in rabbits Fingers crossed for a speedy recovery claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ribbons021185 Posted September 28, 2005 Author Share Posted September 28, 2005 Charlie is getting better already thankfully. Sorry to hear about your bunny Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 That's good news, Claire and it's good that you've posted about Charlie on the forum so that others know what to look for. It's a horrible thing - absolutely terrible and so easily avoided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 Lots of cuddles to Charlie. Hope he his hopping happily about again. The same happened to one of my MIL's rabbits a while ago. It's a dreadful thing that leaves you gobsmacked at the speed of which it escalates. Always good to spread the word about these things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted September 28, 2005 Share Posted September 28, 2005 Good luck with Charlie Claire and thanks for posting on the site so that other people can be aware of the dangers......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmerfud Posted October 4, 2005 Share Posted October 4, 2005 Scary stuff! I'm going to be extra vigilant, Mr Fud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophieam101 Posted October 18, 2005 Share Posted October 18, 2005 It happened to my rabbit twice, we did everything we could do to prevent it but she still got it ( and live through it, although she died a year later from cancer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Sean Posted April 2, 2006 Share Posted April 2, 2006 thanks for the warning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacedhopper Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 yes, i too lost a rabbit to flystrike, not a pretty sight, and the guilt was massive, hope he didnt suffer too much. Glad your story had a happy ending. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 Is it a problem in chickens too ? My Gerty often needs to use the bidet. Hatty never does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
