Emergency? Call 01228 521 393

Contact Details Directions

Small Animal Vets Carlisle

Fly Strike

Fly strike is a very common problem in the summer. Flies are attracted to areas of faecal soiling around a rabbit’s bottom and lay eggs in the fur. When the eggs hatch as maggots, they start to feed on the rabbit’s flesh. Within a matter of hours many rabbits are too poorly to survive. In the summer you should examine your rabbit daily for fly strike and consult a veterinary surgeon immediately if you suspect he or she may be affected. Preventative treatments, including Rearguard® which will prevent flystrike for up to 10 weeks, are available from the surgery. Providing a healthy diet is important to get your rabbits bottom clean. Overweight rabbits may be unable to groom their bottoms properly which can become soiled and attract flies, so weight management is also important.