What is flystrike in rabbits and how do I recognize it before it becomes fatal?

Flystrike (myiasis) in rabbits is a rapidly fatal emergency where blowfly larvae burrow into skin and tissue; if you see maggots, wet fur, or a foul odor around your rabbit's hindquarters, go to a vet immediately — death can occur within 24 hours.

Flystrike occurs when blowflies (most commonly Lucilia sericata) lay eggs on a rabbit — usually in soiled, moist areas around the tail, genitals, or skin folds. Eggs hatch within hours and larvae begin feeding on living tissue immediately.

Which rabbits are most at risk
- Overweight rabbits unable to groom their hindquarters
- Rabbits with diarrhea or uneaten cecotropes
- Rabbits with dental disease (causing drooling and wet dewlap)
- Elderly or arthritic rabbits with limited mobility
- Any rabbit kept outdoors during warm months (April–September in Italy)

Stage-by-stage symptoms
- Stage 1: Restlessness, scratching at hindquarters, unpleasant odor
- Stage 2: Visible small white eggs or tiny pale larvae in fur, wet matted coat
- Stage 3: Open wounds, large visible maggots, rabbit in shock (glassy eyes, cold, unresponsive)

Emergency first aid
Remove visible maggots with tweezers only if you can do so without harming tissue — do not attempt to clean wounds deeply at home. Keep the rabbit warm, in a quiet dark box, and drive to the vet immediately. Do not delay to bathe the rabbit.

Veterinary treatment
Treatment involves manual removal of all larvae (often under sedation), wound debridement, antibiotics, pain relief, fluid therapy, and gut support (flystrike shock causes GI stasis). Survival depends entirely on stage at presentation.

Prevention
- Check hindquarters twice daily in summer
- Maintain a clean, dry living environment
- Treat underlying causes of loose droppings
- Use veterinary-approved fly repellent products (e.g., Rearguard)

Set seasonal flystrike risk alerts in Flovvi. During summer months, log your rabbit's hindquarter hygiene checks and get reminders to schedule preventive vet visits.