Fly strike is a condition we see in animals large and small, with the most frequently affected animals being rabbits and sheep, but dogs, cats, and chickens can also be affected. Fly strike occurs when flies lay eggs on an animal, the eggs then pupate into larvae (also known as maggots) that feed on the flesh of the animal whilst they are still alive. This is, without a doubt, a very painful condition. It is also life threatening and it is common for affected animals to go into shock once this process begins. In order to prevent fly strike from being fatal, it needs to be detected as early as possible. Yet, as with all things like this, prevention is better than cure.
If you are suspicious that your animal is affected by fly strike, you should take them to your local veterinarian immediately for emergency treatment.
When does fly strike occur?
Unsurprisingly, fly strike is most common when and where there are more flies around. This means when the weather is warm and humid, so, depending on where you are in the world this can vary. In the United Kingdom, fly strike is most commonly seen in the summer months, when the temperature is warm and humid. This does not mean that fly strike is exclusive to these climate conditions, as any time a fly lays eggs on an animal there is the potential for fly strike.
How can I tell if my pet has fly strike?
The easiest way to tell if your pet has fly strike is to examine them closely, and if you see any evidence of fly eggs or maggots, then it is highly likely they either have fly strike or will develop it soon. Areas most commonly affected by fly strike include around the genitals (particularly with rabbits) and around the base of the tail or lower back. These areas should always be thoroughly inspected if you are suspicious of fly strike.
If you can see an obvious wound, or maggots moving through your pet’s coat, then that is an obvious indicator that fly strike is happening. You should take them to your local veterinarian immediately. If you find small white or yellow particles stuck to your animal’s fur then these may be fly eggs, and if you remove them from your pet’s coat then you should be able to prevent fly strike from happening.
It may be hard to tell if your pet has fly strike without close inspection, but some indicators that should prompt you to investigate further include…
- Seeming quieter than usual
- Moving around less
- Hiding
- Showing signs of pain such as tooth grinding or reduced appetite.
If you notice any of these signs, there is likely to be something wrong with your pet, so if the weather is warm and humid then it is a good idea to check for fly strike.
Can fly strike be treated?
Whilst fly strike can be a rapidly fatal condition, if caught early enough, any damage to your pet can be prevented. Or, if the maggots have already started to cause some damage, then further damage can be limited. If you suspect your animal to be affected by fly strike, then you should take them to your local veterinarian immediately. Treatment for fly strike always involves removing all of the maggots that are present, cleaning the wound, providing pain relief for your pet, and often antibiotic cover to allow the wound to heal. If your pet is suffering any toxic effects from fly strike they may also need to be hospitalised for additional supportive treatments, such as fluids and potentially antibiotics administered directly into the vein.
Once you have prevented any further damage from occurring, you still need to monitor your pet. They will likely need intensive treatment for the healing period. Any open wounds are perfect for attracting more flies, you will need to ensure that no new eggs are being laid on your pet and this may mean that you need to change where you house your pet for the healing period.
Your pet will also need continued pain relief and sometimes antibiotic cover through this healing period. Cleaning is imperative, particularly with rabbits, when you clip the fur around the wounds they then become very prone to getting dirty. Often a saline solution is perfect for cleaning these wounds, as antiseptics can be quite harsh for the healing tissue and can also be painful to clean with. Using something soft like cotton wool, gently clean the wound and remove any discharge or dead tissue, before gently drying using a soft towel or paper towel.
To make a saline solution:
- Boil two cups (500ml) of tap water
- Allow this to cool to room temperature
- Add 1 teaspoon (6g) of iodine free (non-iodised) salt and stir until it dissolves
Can fly strike be prevented?
Thankfully, we are not helpless when it comes to prevention with fly strike, as there are medications that can kill the maggots before they can cause damage. There are also simple changes we can make to the environmental conditions for our animals which can help.
For rabbits, treatments like ‘Rearguard’ are available to protect them through the summer months. These treatments are applied as a topical treatment, similar to flea and worm treatments in other species, and they are applied around the tail and genitals as these are the areas where flies most commonly lay their eggs. Once these treatments have been applied and allowed to dry, they can provide many weeks of cover for your rabbits. However, this does not mean you shouldn’t also implement some of the environmental management measures to reduce the risk of fly strike. As soon as the treatment wears off, your rabbits will be prone to fly strike again, so keeping a close eye throughout the high-risk months is important. I would recommend daily checks of their coats to ensure there are no fly eggs that have the potential to grow into harmful maggots.
Making changes in your rabbit’s environment can help reduce the risk of fly strike occurring and will generally help your rabbit live a more comfortable life throughout the summer months. The most important factor is keeping your rabbits clean, the dirtier your rabbit’s environment, the more flies will be attracted to it. This means that cleaning your rabbits out frequently (depending on their housing maybe 3-4 times a week) to ensure that urine and faecal pellets are not building up and attracting flies. Related to this is keeping your rabbits themselves clean, as some rabbits struggle with having faeces stuck to the fur around their tails and matting of their fur. If this happens then it provides the perfect breeding ground for flies, and a smell which attracts them right to it. One method of reducing the risk of fly strike in your rabbits, unsurprisingly, involves reducing the number of flies (which is certainly easier said than done!) Over the summer months I have found using fly traps can be an effective method of reducing the number of flies around my rabbits, so this is another option to be considered.
It is extremely uncommon for dogs and cats to be affected by fly strike unless they have an underlying condition which may predispose them. For example, having reduced mobility or having a soiled coat, both of which can attract flies to land and lay eggs on them. If you frequently check your pet’s coat if they are in an at-risk group, then this can help minimise the risk of fly strike in them.
Conclusion
Make sure you stay vigilant, particularly over the summer months, to ensure that your pets are kept safe from flies ready to lay their eggs, and try to reduce the risk of your animals by changing their environment and grooming habits appropriately. If you are ever concerned about one of your pets having fly strike then contact your local veterinarian immediately, as the sooner we intervene the safer they will be!