Fly Strike – what to look for?

[caedmonster]

Hi guys,

My 2 year old female rabbit had ‘poopy but’t’ for the past 2 days, and she seems to have cleaned it up shortly after each time it has become messy (with a little help). There’s still a bit of a smell/discolouration in the area, but nothing severe. I’m a little concerned though as I went to inspect her bottom just now I noticed that after parting the fur a bit, there was a bit of a pink/fleshy lump exposed?.I’m unsure if it’s always like this, as I don’t normally check as thoroughly as I no doubt should down there. My eyesight is rather poor and she is a bit squemish when I go to look around the area (she doesn’t like being handled much), so I was just wondering what exactly should I be looking for? Does anyone have any pictures etc of the early stages of fly strike? The fur around her backside is white so it’s a little hard for me to tell if there’s any white eggs etc there.

The vet’s in my area are currently closed, so if I i were to take her somewhere now it’d have to be an emergency clinic.

(Sorry if I’m not very coherent/clear, haven’t been sleeping well at all recently.)

[caedmonster]

Am I correct in assuming that the type normally laid on rabbits looks like tiny white rice grains? I don’t think I’ve seen any quite yet, but as I said I’m unsure what the area normally looks like so it’s a little hard to tell.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Fly strike probably won’t happen that quickly. I’d guess what your seeing is the skin underneath the fur-in rabbits it’s quite pink and stretchy.

Do you keep your rabbit outside? Indoor rabbits don’t have much chance of getting it-and generally the rabbit is really incontinent and has ‘hutch burn’ (ie. lots of missing fur in the peri area) from sitting in urine over long periods of time.

I would think it would be GOOD to go the vet tomorrow and I’m also going to wager it can wait until then…Lemmie grab you some more info on fly stike-brb

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

NOT providing this info to freak you out Just so you know. It looks like-signs will be a restless rabbit or a lethargic rabbit-opposite of how they normally are, itching and you should be able to see maggots/larvae or a wound where they burrowed.

Signs: (from different sources)

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Beat-Flystrike-in-Rabbits&id=1318549

The first symptom of flystrike is often a deviation in normal behaviour. If your rabbit is either quiet and lethargic, or alternatively restless, it is worth checking them over for eggs or maggots. If you find any, the first thing to do is to call your vet IMMEDIATELY. At this stage, flystrike cannot wait until morning. Then carefully pick off any maggots, but don’t get the fur wet, as the vet will need to shave the affected area.

http://www.medicanimal.com/viewarticle/~contentId=111555/~nodeTrailCsv=AR-SMALL_ANIMALS-RABBIT_SPECIFIC,111555/~category_id=MA_SMALL_ANIMALS

Flies will strike any healthy animal, but generally those that have a wet and dirty groin area are most at risk. Any rabbit which is unable to clean itself properly may become infected, typically this includes obese rabbits, females with large dewlaps, or skin folds around their abdomen, rabbits with urinary problems, elderly or arthritic rabbits, long-coated breeds, and rabbits with teeth problems who are unable to groom themselves. Wounds also provide a perfect place for the fly to lay its eggs, as the odour and moisture from the flesh attracts them.

http://www.rabbitweb.net/health-problems.asp

An infestation of fly larvae, or maggots, in the skin of a rabbit. Flies lay their eggs in open sores on a rabbit or on skin dampened with feces or urine. The larvae burrow into the flesh, producing toxins that can induce of state of shock in the rabbit. Symptoms of fly strike include listlessness, itchy, irritated skin and, in some cases, seizures. An infestation of bot fly larvae is often called warbles.

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-12/fly-strike.html

Seizures: Some rabbits have “itchy skins” seizures. But instead of being toxin related, these are caused by local nerve sensors on the surface of the body triggering a general or overall nerve reaction, resulting in a seizure. Rabbits are sensitive to surface irritations.

Perhaps if your eyesight isn’t perfect-you could use your hands to feel around for abnormalties. It’s much easier to handle a rabbit when on a counter top or the like-as they are out of their element and less likely to jump or squirm.

[caedmonster]

Thanks alot for the speedy & helpful response!
Unfortunately (and against my will), she is currently being kept outside in an enclosure that was built for her.
The area around her backside is definitely dry, and there isn’t any signs of urine scalding.
Her appetite has been down a bit the past couple of days, there was some construction work being done on our block and the noise was stressing her our a bit (I believe this is what caused the runny cecotropes, her diet etc hadn’t changed at all). The work is completed and her appetite returned to normal today, and everything else about her seems normal (no excessive itching etc). I’ll definitely contact the vet tomorrow and keep regular checks on her tonight.

Perhaps if your eyesight isn’t perfect-you could use your hands to feel around for abnormalties. It’s much easier to handle a rabbit when on a counter top or the like-as they are out of their element and less likely to jump or squirm.

Is there anything particular I should be feeling around for? I can get her in a spot where she doesn’t move around, but I’ve noticed handling her around there still stresses her out a bit.

[BinkyBunny]

It’s so hard to really know by the description. Is the lump large or rather small, and is it without fur or mostly covered. I’m just trying to figure out if what your feeling is the normal area for her genitals or not. Being outside and having a messy bottom does put her at risk for flystrike as it attracts flies. But really from this side of the internet, I really can’t tell you for sure what is going on so I’m glad you’ll be contacting a vet tomorrow.

I’m sorry you have to keep her outside against your will. No way to find some sort of compromise with the person in “power”???

[RabbitPam]

While we can have a good idea of what’s wrong, it’s often the vet that give the correct diagnosis, and often for the better, than we think it may be. So my feeling is that you’re better off bringing her to the vet to find out what exactly it is and begin treatment than self-diagnose and possibly mistreat. I understand you will be bringing her to the vet today so that’s great. Please let us know what the diagnosis and treatment is.

The noise stress is a good guess, but I don’t know about the lump. I can see the poopy butt clearing up from the restored quiet, but a lump…not so much.

If you need us to provide your “person in power” with info. on why a bunny is better off inside a home, or at the very least a garage in this cold season, we’d be happy to chime in with info. on your behalf.

[caedmonster]

Posted By BinkyBunny on 12/09/2009 02:15 AM
It’s so hard to really know by the description. Is the lump large or rather small, and is it without fur or mostly covered. I’m just trying to figure out if what your feeling is the normal area for her genitals or not. Being outside and having a messy bottom does put her at risk for flystrike as it attracts flies. But really from this side of the internet, I really can’t tell you for sure what is going on so I’m glad you’ll be contacting a vet tomorrow.

I’m sorry you have to keep her outside against your will. No way to find some sort of compromise with the person in “power”???

It’s mostly covered with fur, and I managed to get a better look at it earlier… I believe you’re correct about it being her genitals.

I’ll double check with the vet tomorrow regardless.

Posted By RabbitPam on 12/09/2009 06:23 AM
While we can have a good idea of what’s wrong, it’s often the vet that give the correct diagnosis, and often for the better, than we think it may be. So my feeling is that you’re better off bringing her to the vet to find out what exactly it is and begin treatment than self-diagnose and possibly mistreat. I understand you will be bringing her to the vet today so that’s great. Please let us know what the diagnosis and treatment is.

The noise stress is a good guess, but I don’t know about the lump. I can see the poopy butt clearing up from the restored quiet, but a lump…not so much.

If you need us to provide your “person in power” with info. on why a bunny is better off inside a home, or at the very least a garage in this cold season, we’d be happy to chime in with info. on your behalf.

Oh I definitely didn’t mean to self-diagnose or anything, it’s just our vet isn’t going to be at the clinic until tomorrow and I’ve been unable to find any other rabbit savvy vets within our area.

And regarding keeping her outside, I’ve shown the person in power all the information regarding the risks etc associated with keeping her outside on many occasions without any success . Strictly speaking it doesn’t belong to me, I just took it upon myself to start taking caring for it because I didn’t think the owner did enough research etc about how to take care of her properly. It’s a little more complicated than I’m willing to discuss and they certainly aren’t bad people or anything.. but I do appreciate the offer.

Thanks again for the help guys, really comforting to know there’s help like this available when the vet isn’t around.

[BinkyBunny]

OH wow, how nice of you to make sure that this bunny is getting proper care etc.. (FYI: you may want to change your diplay name to something more anonymous, if you’re not sure how to do that just message me) I know it can really be frustrating when you don’t have full control of the situation.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’ve shown the person in power all the information regarding the risks etc associated with keeping her outside on many occasions without any success . Strictly speaking it doesn’t belong to me, I just took it upon myself to start taking caring for it because I didn’t think the owner did enough research etc about how to take care of her properly. It’s a little more complicated than I’m willing to discuss and they certainly aren’t bad people or anything.. but I do appreciate the offer.

HOW NICE of you!! *HUGS* Cheers! Really!!

No need to discuss details if your uncomfy-thank goodness their are guardians like you for the forgotten animals

Keep us posted on how it goes!!

[RabbitPam]

Oh my – this little bunny is very lucky to have you caring for him. Understand about the delicacy and privacy of your situation.
Let us know of any change for the better.
{{{{{{{{{Healing vibes for bunny}}}}}}}}

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