Maggots in rabbits

What are maggots?
Maggots, also called myiasis, are common in rabbits. It is a serious condition that often requires immediate treatment. Rabbits can get very sick and even die. Myiasis is a major problem, especially in the warm (summer) months. The blue-green blowfly, or blowfly, lays eggs in the rabbit's fur. They prefer to do this in a warm and humid environment. They get into the urine and feces around your rabbit's anus, but they sometimes lay eggs in the clean fur around the anus. The larvae hatch from these eggs and are called maggots. These maggots feed on the feces that are often present in the rabbit's fur, but also easily damage the rabbit's skin. This allows them entry.

How does my rabbit get maggots?
In principle, every rabbit can suffer from maggots. However, the probability is significantly higher in some rabbits. Rabbits who are less good at cleaning their backs, such as rabbits that are overweight or rabbits with dental problems, are at a higher risk of myiasis. Rabbits with back problems or older rabbits are also less able to clean their backs. The back can also be dirty from diarrhea or too much sticky stool.

Another cause of a dirty back is urine left in the fur. This can happen with incontinence, cystitis or a pen that is too wet.

How do I recognize maggots in rabbits?
What you usually notice first are the flies flying around the attic. It just has to be a fly. Once the eggs are laid, it can be several hours to days before maggots are seen. These look like white worms ranging in size from a few millimeters to a centimeter. They are round, thick and flexible. You often see them around the anus, where there may be stool in your rabbit's fur. You can also see them in the bar. They are rarely seen coming out of the anus or lying in the cage. Since your rabbit is one of the last things to stop eating, the infection is usually at an advanced stage.

What can I do about maggots in rabbits?
Maggots cause severe itching and pain in rabbits, and rabbits can quickly become dehydrated. So you must act quickly. Myiasis in rabbits can be fatal within 24 to 48 hours. If you're there on time, you can start removing all the maggots and washing your rabbit. You can treat your rabbit with anti-myiasis. After that it is very important that your rabbit is comfortable, that the hutch is dry and that your rabbit continues to eat. Sometimes you have to force feed your rabbit. There is special rabbit food for this that you can dissolve in water, but you could also puree the vegetables yourself. Make sure they don't get diarrhea again.

If the infection is already larger, it makes more sense to go to the vet. This will shave your rabbit and wash it with a special shampoo. The vet can also give you pain relief.

How can I prevent maggots?
Keeping your attic clean and dry is very important during the summer months. A dry bedding is very important. Checking your rabbit daily, especially around the anus, is very important. You can't see the eggs with the naked eye, but the sooner you spot the maggots, the better chance your rabbit won't get too sick. Do this between May and September. You need to clean a dirty back. You can also put a mosquito net in front of the hutch to keep flies out, or temporarily house your rabbit indoors.

You should also make sure that your rabbit does not become overweight. You should also look out for signs of pain or dental problems. There is also No-Myiasis, which is a spray that you can use to prevent maggots in the warm months (from May). To ensure good protection, this spray should be administered every 4 weeks.

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