One of the problems we see commonly in rabbits in the spring and summer is
fly strike and carers of bunnies need to be alert to its potential when owners
are away as urgent treatment is required.
Fly strike, or myasis, describes the situation where flys, usually
bluebottles, lay their eggs on the rabbit. They are attracted to areas of faecal
contamination in the hair around the anus and deposit their eggs here, which
subsequently hatch into maggots and feed on the faecal material.
At first the maggots are quite small, but as they grow they develop the
ability to burrow into the rabbit’s skin and feed on flesh and blood as well.
This all happens very quickly within 3-12 hours.
Prevention is far better than cure and involves firstly maintaining a clean
hutch and secondly preventing faecal soiling around the bottom.
The hutch should be cleaned frequently and fresh straw or hay placed in so
that the rabbit is not sitting in bedding which is wet with urine and faeces.
Fly strips can also be hung to trap flies.
Most Buy Cialis Online rabbits will keep themselves clean. Remember that
rabbits produce two types of faeces, the normal ones which excrete waste
material as in all animals and caecotrophs which they are actually meant to
produce and eat overnight to provide them with extra nutrients.
Faecal soiling, or clagging, often occurs because the diet is imbalanced in
the favour foodstuffs high in simple sugars (such as fruit and vegetables) and
low in fibre (such as hay and grass). Therefore clagging is preventing by
ensuring the balance is approximately 80% grass or hay, 15% leafy greens such as
carrots tops and curly kale, and only 5% grass pellets and fruit/vegetables.
Just like kids, rabbits prefer the sweets and tend to feed preferentially for
the fruit and vegetables, or pick out the good bits from museli mixes, so do not
fall into the misbelief that these items need to be topped up as fast as they
are eaten.
Other factors which may predipose to soiling are poor teeth, obesity and
skeletal restriction such as arthritis of the spine which all prevent the rabbit
turning sufficiently to clean itself. So ask your customers if these are likely
to be issues.
Finally, products such as Rearguard™ can be purchased which are liquids or
creams applied to the readend and prevent maggots developing. Ideally, I would
advise you ask these are applied before the owners pass over care to you.
All rabbits should have their bottoms inspected twice daily. Faeces can be
removed using cotton wool soaked in warm water; do not drench the area with
water though. If there are signs of maggots, veterinary attention should be
sought immediately. Remember how quickly this develops and so it is not
appropriate to think you’ll wait and see how it is tomorrow.
By Mark the Vet