Flystrike in Rabbits

Flystrike is a real danger to your rabbit in the warm summer months. Flystrike occurs when flies lay eggs around the rabbit's bottom, especially if the rear is dirty or matted.

This very unpleasant and sometimes fatal problem is wholly preventable. Some key points you can do are:

• Ensure your rabbits rear is clean. If it isn't, then ask us for advice
• Check your rabbit daily
• Use net curtains or fine netting to reduce fly entry into a hutch
• Use REARGUARD every 10 weeks on your rabbit-this is easily applied and protects against the maggots. This is a prescription treatment for which your rabbit needs to be under our care.

Flystrike is characterised by the speed with which it can kill a rabbit. Often, the owner will not be aware of a problem until fly eggs laid on the animal have hatched into maggots.

By this time, it may be too late, as the larvae will already have started devouring the rabbit.

Rearguard® is the only product licensed for the prevention of flystrike. It contains an Insect Growth Regulator, cyromazine.

Rearguard® comes in liquid formulation in a single-use bottle with a sponge applicator making it easy to apply to the rabbit's fur. It remains effective for 10 weeks.

Flystrike 'season' in the UK runs from at least April to October.