“Flystrike is a painful and sometimes fatal condition caused by flies laying their eggs on another animal. These hatch into maggots; this can happen within hours of contact with a bluebottle or similar fly. The eggs laid will hatch and maggots form which eat the flesh of their ‘hosts’. This could be your rabbit or guinea pig. If your pet becomes infested, ask a vet for help immediately.” RSPCA

What causes Flystrike?

• heat, warmer weather

• a poopy bum

• dirty living environment

• flies of course

Prevention:  by ensuring the hair of the bum is short, is clean, if possible keeping the temperature cool and using “fly guard” just in case like sunscreen but for rabbits and guinea pigs to prevent flies from laying eggs which can hatch into maggots.

Applying fly guard to the lower half of your pet can limit the potential problem of fly strike for an 8-week period. Some vet care plans will have this treatment built in. You can buy over-the-counter products and treat your pet yourself such as Fly Guard.

At Furry Friends Hotel we ensure all our own pets are treated for Flystrike. If you would prefer, we can also offer a Flystrike prevention treatment for your pet.

If you book your pet in as a day case we will adopt a professional approach to checking the groin and bum is clean of your pet and will clear any faecal risk in addition to applying a preventative treatment.

Please check out www.furryfriendshotel.co.uk and press the blue book now button and choose appointment, select Flystrike Prevention.

Each pet can be dropped in at 11 am with pick up after 4 pm. They will be allocated a treatment hutch with access to hay, feed and water throughout. The treatment will provide protection for up to 8 weeks.

It is important to note that the treatment applied will prevent fly eggs from hatching. However, these alone are no substitute for ensuring that your rabbit/guinea pig is healthy enough not to become susceptible in the first place. They cannot be relied upon to replace regular checks of your pet’s bottom. Daily checks are crucial to prevention. Organise treatment now to help prevent a nasty infestation. avoiding unnecessary pain, and risk to the health and well-being of your pet.