Fly Strike

[New Bunny Mum]

I have read about the severity of Fly Strike – it sounds awful.

It does seem logical however that outdoor rabbits are most likely to be prone to Fly Strike. I was wondering of the likelihood of an indoor rabbit getting it.

Is it something I need to be paticuarly worried about.

Thanks for any advice.

[Sarita]

Not very likely unless they aren’t kept in a clean environment.

[KytKattin]

Unless you are a hoarder/like to let flies in your home, you shouldn’t worry about it. That being said, if you happen to have a bunny with runny stools/poopy butt and you do have a couple of flies in your house (it happens to the best of us!) you should take extra care to make sure your bunny bum is clean and the litterbox is changed daily. Not that you shouldn’t be keeping the bunny bum extra clean if s/he does have poopy butt.

[BinkyBunny]

Indoor rabbits that are susceptible to “poopy” butt — messy bottoms, as some have sensitive digestive systems or a chronic illness that can cause this on a regular basis. Anyway, when poo stays on their backside for a few hours or more (due to it happening overnight or during the day when many are at work), then it’s something you do have to be more diligent about with indoor bunnies. Not that loads of flies are going to be hanging around inside, but it’s not uncommon, during the summer, for flies to to get in through an open door or screenless window.

I might be just more aware of this because my bunny Bailey had chronic poopybutt and I was always making sure her backside was clean.

[3 buns mom]

I worked at a vets office, and someone came in with the bunny that had fly strike this past summer. It was an indoor rabbit, but probably wasn’t kept very clean or paid much attention to. The reason I say this is because the fly strike was sooooo bad that there was maggots all over the outside and inside of his behind.  It was awful. I felt soooooooo bad for this little guy. He was wrapped in a towel and I opted to hold him while the family decided what to do. The techs wanted to throw him in a cage for the time being….I was not going to let him sit in a cage in pain, especially knowing these could be his last moments. So he was staying cradled in my arms! I have to tell you, I have a severe bug phobia, especially for maggots…..But my concern and passion for animals took precedence over my fear of bugs.

Unfortunately, many people aren’t educated on proper care of a rabbit. Many just think of it as a pet in a cage. They aren’t aware of the many issues rabbits may come across.

Now I have a bunny that is now 7 1/2 and he has had messy poopies off and on since we have owned him. I have always made sure to keep his butt clean…But sometimes I waited for a few hours because I was waiting for my son to come home to help me….But after seeing what I seen that day, I am now a pro at doing butt baths on my own!  I will never let it go again.

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