Flystrike

What is Flystrike?

Flystrike (‘myiasis’) is a major welfare problem that mainly occurs during warm weather, although it can occur at any time.

It’s a painful condition that can affect rabbits, guinea pigs, cats and dogs as well as farm animals such as sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas.

Even clean, well-kept animals can get flystrike. It only takes one fly and one area of soiled fur/fleece or damaged skin!

Flystrike occurs when certain species of fly lay their eggs on another animal. These eggs hatch into maggots that then begin to eat the animal’s flesh. Flies are attracted by soiled or wet fur/fleece, often around the animal’s rear end. However, any area of the body can be affected, as can any wound, cut or scratch. Flystrike causes serious pain and suffering and it can be fatal.

 

Which animals are most at risk of flystrike?

Animals that have a dirty rear end or generally dirty fur/fleece are at risk. This may occur in animals which:

• are unable to clean themselves properly (because they are long-haired/woolly, overweight, elderly, unwell, in pain or have dental, spinal or balance problems)
• are ill, as they may not feel well enough to clean themselves thoroughly and, depending on their illness, may also produce abnormally smelly urine or have diarrhoea, which will attract flies
• are fed an inappropriate diet
• have an internal parasitic infection
• have an open wound anywhere on the body.

 

Preventing flystrike

Flystrike can occur in a matter of hours. Because the toxins released into the bloodstream by the maggots can cause the animal to go into toxic shock, death can result very quickly if flystrike is not spotted and treated rapidly.

Owners/stock-keepers should discuss with their vet the most appropriate ways of reducing the risk of flystrike before the high-risk period starts.

Animals at risk of flystrike should be inspected at least twice a day between April and October, when the weather is warmer. Their body should be checked all over, especially around the rear end where the fur/wool can become contaminated with droppings and urine.

 

Preventing flystrike in pets

To help prevent flystrike you should:

• Check your pet thoroughly for signs of illness, injury or abnormal behaviour every day and in warm weather check the fur and skin around your pet’s rear end and tail area at least twice a day.
• If your pet has a dirty back end, clean it immediately with warm water to remove all traces of soiling and ensure the area is dried thoroughly. It may be necessary to clip the fur away from your pet’s back end; if you are unsure how to do this properly, seek advice from a pet care specialist.
• Clean litter trays or toilet areas every day.
• Clean housing and change bedding regularly – at least once a week.
• Ensure your pet is not overweight and is fed a correct diet. Your vet can give you further advice to help manage your pet’s weight and ensure an appropriate diet is provided.
• For animals that live outside, consider ways of insect-proofing their housing, e.g. by putting net curtains over hutches and runs.
• Consider neutering female rabbits, as entire females may be more prone to flystrike, especially if disease of the uterus develops.

 

Preventing flystrike in farm animals

Before the high-risk period starts discuss with your vet the most appropriate ways of reducing the risk of flystrike. Prevention methods include:

• Frequent and thorough inspection of all the animals.
• Shearing the animals/‘crutching’ to remove the wool/long hair around their rear ends.
• Plunge dipping of sheep in accordance with appropriate human and animal health and safely guidelines and environmental protection guidelines.
• Use of appropriate spray or ‘pour-on’ treatments.
• Taking steps to reduce the number of flies in the environment, for example, by removing faeces and soiled bedding quickly.
• Ensuring that animals are healthy and not suffering from other conditions that might attract flies. For example, footrot, open wounds, or internal parasitic infections that causes diarrhoea.

What should I do if I suspect flystrike?

If an animal becomes infested, they should be examined by a vet immediately or, if this is not possible, seek immediate veterinary advice.

Is flystrike treatable?

If caught early, flystrike can be successfully treated, but success depends upon how much damage has been done and if your vet considers your animal to have a reasonable chance of recovery. After treatment, wounds can take several weeks to heal.

During this time, your animal will be at increased risk of further bouts of flystrike and infection, so they will require careful nursing and additional preventative measures should be taken.