Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Gather some information on Flystrike in Rabbits

Flystrike is a serious condition, rabbits, if left untreated, can seriously. It is caused by flies lay their eggs in the rabbit, the egg hatching of maggots and the maggots eat the flesh after the rabbit. At least Flystrike (or myiasis) is quite uncomfortable and at worst results in severe pain, shock and death. Flystrike also a super-transition conditions that certain species of fly maggots mature very quickly and can start eating meat within 24 hours. If you think your rabbit may have flystrike, the first thing to do is to call your veterinarian.

Risk factor
There are several factors that may increase susceptibility for your rabbit flystrike. This includes:

> Time of year: flystrike is more common during summer but can occur all year round
> Overweight these rabbits: obese rabbits to keep their bottom clean because they can not reach around to clean them
> Long hair rabbits: the same reasons above, the long-haired breeds harder to keep it clean
> The rabbits with dental problems: malocclusion or other dental problems means that the rabbits have trouble pulling burrs and eggs out of their coats
> Rabbits in the wound: Open wounds or sores are breeding grounds for bacteria, and special care should be taken about flystrike
> Rabbits with loose stools: Loose stools and dirty bottom needs further clarification, which increases the risk of flystrike
> Rabbits that live in dirty cages: damp and smelly cages that attract flies and more flies there are, the more likely it is that they will lay eggs on your rabbit

Warning Signs
The first symptoms of flystrike is often a deviation from normal behavior. If your rabbit is either quiet and lethargic, or alternatively, restless, it's worth checking them for eggs or maggots. If you find any, the first thing to do is to call your veterinarian immediately. At this stage, no flystrike wait until tomorrow. Then gently pick off any maggots, but do not get wet feathers, then the vet will need to shave the affected area.

Caution
There are several ways you can prevent flystrike from occurring or recurring. Follow these steps and you should not have a problem:
> Feed your rabbit a healthy diet: plenty of hay for fiber, a blend of fresh vegetables and not too many good quality rabbit food extruded
> You rabbit Clean regularly: There's no excuse not to keep the hutch clean and dry your rabbit. Remove soiled linen in the daily give and Hutch a complete clean with a suitable disinfectant weekly
> Use a preventive flystrike: There are several flystrike protectors on the market designed specifically to prevent the condition occurring, and we always recommend having one in your rabbit first aid kit. These can protect your rabbit for up to 3 months of stopping the maggots mature into a stage where they are dangerous
> Check your rabbit regularly: a quick inspection on a daily basis will help you to identify early signs
> Use repellents to fly: a simple strip of paper or a fly screen fly close to cage your rabbit will help stop the flies that get too close to

By following this guide from thepetextraordinarium.co.uk, you will reduce the risk of your rabbit catching flystrike. But if they do not panic and call the vet immediately.

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