Flystrike!! things to do to prevent it.

[karenh]

Kareen, is that the Indorex House Flea Spray?  How often do you use it?  I also have problems with earwigs at this time of year - usually for about 4/5 weeks, and they're driving me nuts!

[Kareen]

Kareen, is that the Indorex House Flea Spray?  How often do you use it?  I also have problems with earwigs at this time of year - usually for about 4/5 weeks, and they're driving me nuts!

Yes it is karen, I use it every  6/8 weeks 

[lauren]

is fly guard the same as rear guard??

[Kareen]

I think it is a similar product, but I recommend rear guard.

[Ashley]

They have different active ingredients but they are both insect growth regulators. Rear guard contains a chemical that affects the nervous system of the maggots, fly guard contains a juvenile hormone that stops them fully developing. I don't know if one is more effective than the other though

[lauren]

Hmmm, too many decisions. I only new about fly strike when i worked at the vets last year, when we had to put a bunny PTS. So much i have learned this time round than from a good years ago when i had my other 3. Ive noticed aswel that they have spots on to prevent fly strike and fleas and mites anyone used them??

[Ashley]

I have used xeno 450 spot on which contains ivermectin for mites and it worked fine, but now I use pharmaq ivermectin drops as they are cheaper but work just as well as the xeno.
I don't think the spot ons containing permethrin are as good though and some rabbits can have reactions to these so I avoid them. Spot on treatments are not as effective at preventing fly strike and they don't last as long as rear guard or fly guard. I would probably agree with Kareen and recommend rear guard as it is a veterinary POM treatment so it would probably be more reliable.

[lauren]

Right need to go to my vets then thanx very much great info from you. xxx

[Daniele]

I just read this post with horror - we have had a lot of bluebottles in the house over the past couple of weeks, as a result of having the windows open all the time I think.

My buns (Penny & Casper) are indoor rabbits but go out into their run when it's good weather, it never ocurred to me they could get flystrike inside the house.

I will give them a good check tonight - what am I looking for? They don't have any droppings sticking to their bottoms and are in good health. I had a nice cuddle with Casper last night & didn't notice anything untoward, Penny still doesn't like being picked up....

Off to read a bit more about flystrike....

[Ashley]

You are looking for any fly eggs or maggots in the fur and skin. If you ever do find any it is important to take them to the vet straight away. It is not so common in healthy buns so hopefully you will never come across it, but it is always a good idea to check.

[Daniele]

Thankfully I found no evidence of eggs or maggots. I take it the flies are attracted to droppings rather than the rabbits themselves, so the chances of a rabbit with healthy bowels getting flystrike would be pretty low?

[Ashley]

Thats good Yes the flies are attracted to droppings or urine on the fur and if their cage or litter trays are really dirty as well. Some flies also like damp fur even if it doesn't smell which is why rabbits shouldn't be bathed unless it is really necessary. If you keep your buns clean and dry the risk is quite low.