Reducing flysyrike risk help

My indoor buns are having to go outside this year but one has had problems ongoing with incontinence. It's been good for ages. Really stable but yesterday he had an episode again where his bum is really wet. I know eventually it will likely kill him as it's due to kidney issues but what can I do to give him the best chance outside? Flysyrike is a huge fear of mine as I've had a rabbit with it before. It was so traumatic

I absolutely sympathise as have a very similar problem.

I can't offer any magic solution, other than I keep Teddy's environment as clean as is possible, changing his litter tray 2-3 times daily. And of course all loose poops are scooped up from the area.

He lives in a very big area, so not in a hutch, which in my mind helps the situation.

I did consider fly strips, but they aren't really effective in this type of environment.

Teddy is far more active than he was (due to ramped up pain relief), so hopefully that helps as well.

As an aside, I am going to try Propalin - for incontinence. Not sure if it will work in bunnies, but there is anecdotal evidence here and there.

I shall follow this thread for any advice you get ... good luck :wave:

lucy24 said:

My indoor buns are having to go outside this year but one has had problems ongoing with incontinence. It's been good for ages. Really stable but yesterday he had an episode again where his bum is really wet. I know eventually it will likely kill him as it's due to kidney issues but what can I do to give him the best chance outside? Flysyrike is a huge fear of mine as I've had a rabbit with it before. It was so traumatic

Click to expand...

Hi Lucy

Can the vet help with the kidney issues? There's Fortekor that's often used, and also regular sub-Q fluids?

Shave the area and make sure it's clean - check twice daily. Your vet or nurse could do the first shave, and then perhaps you could keep the area shaved yourself after that?


There may be some tips you haven't seen here:

https://www.medicanimal.com/The-sym...evention-of-fly-strike-in-rabbits/a/ART111555

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

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/Flystrikedontgetcaughtout.pdf


I see that rearguard has been recommended. I have seen too many 'coincidental' rabbit deaths due to it's usage, so I wouldn't, but you may decide differently.

Good luck - flystrike is a horrible way to go xx

Because of his issues, I'd be checking him as many times per day as possible - it only takes 2 to 4 hours for flystrike to take hold.

Using vet bed in his environment may help.
Is he able to clean properly himself?

If yes this is great as the risk is low.
If not, I'd seriously consider rear guard. I don't normally recommend it, but in the case of a rabbit unable to groom I'd seriously consider it.

Planting herbs around the enclosure should help, as well as cleaning with a white vinegar solution.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk

Rearguard needs reapplying if it is washed off - so it may not be appropriate for an incontinent rabbit.
F10 Insecticidal Wound Spray is cheaper, and can be applied as required (daily?) so may be a better option. It does the same job. Don't use it if it may come into contact with cats as it is toxic to them.

Otherwise, shaving the area and keeping it as dry and clean as possible will help to make him less attractive to flies. Treating the incontinence would also help.

Then you can:
- put up fly screens on any mesh on the run or windows, which will help to keep flies out of his area.
- use a UV insect lamp to zap the flies

These are all precautionary measures to reduce the risk of fly strike but won't totally stop a fly sneaking in and getting to the rabbit, so you need to be really vigilant to stop this horrible condition.

Thanks for all the great suggestions! The problem we've had with treating him is that they aren't sure what kind of kidney issue it is. It's something that even specialists haven't had any ideas on. Or seen much of before. We've tried many things but nothing helps it just seems to come and go as it pleases. Last time he was so bad he was skin and bone and close to pts. It's palliative care I guess.

I'm going to get the vet to shave him as suggested as I know he has dense furr! Fluffiest butt I've ever seen! Lol

Going to get some good anti fly plants.

Anyone know any particular good fly screens? To attach to hutch?

Will look at those links later too.

He is so naughty though... I trimmed his furr a few weeks back and nearly got kicked in the face

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

Fly screens - anything with a mesh small enough to stop bluebottles getting in will do - so maybe net curtains as a temporary measure. Places like Lidl and Aldi have had fly screens in recently (for doors and windows, with magnetic fasteners). Google Fly screen mesh and you get all sorts of ideas - there seem to be basically fibreglass or aluminium versions, eg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/?iid=29205...6&device=c&campaignid=707291931&crdt=0&chn=ps

lucy24 said:

Thanks for all the great suggestions! The problem we've had with treating him is that they aren't sure what kind of kidney issue it is. It's something that even specialists haven't had any ideas on. Or seen much of before. We've tried many things but nothing helps it just seems to come and go as it pleases. Last time he was so bad he was skin and bone and close to pts. It's palliative care I guess.

I'm going to get the vet to shave him as suggested as I know he has dense furr! Fluffiest butt I've ever seen! Lol

Going to get some good anti fly plants.

Anyone know any particular good fly screens? To attach to hutch?

Will look at those links later too.

He is so naughty though... I trimmed his furr a few weeks back and nearly got kicked in the face

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

You're welcome

Poor lad - defeating the specialists with his kidney complaint :roll:

I hope you can keep him well - he's cared for and loved, and that's the main thing

Shimmer said:

Fly screens - anything with a mesh small enough to stop bluebottles getting in will do - so maybe net curtains as a temporary measure. Places like Lidl and Aldi have had fly screens in recently (for doors and windows, with magnetic fasteners). Google Fly screen mesh and you get all sorts of ideas - there seem to be basically fibreglass or aluminium versions, eg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/?iid=29205...6&device=c&campaignid=707291931&crdt=0&chn=ps

Click to expand...

Thank you that looks good. I think my vet uses that on his windows at the surgery. Good price too

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk