Lagomorphine
Warren Scout
Charlie and Willow had their vaccinations last Friday and the vet said I should consider having them treated against fly strike.
Now I'm glad to say that in 10+ years of keeping rabbits we have never had a fly strike problem but of course I accept that just because we have been lucky so far we might not always be lucky. Summer is coming (apparently), there are horses and sheep in the field just behind our garden, so there will be a lot of flies around. But our rabbits are not neglected and we take their hygiene seriously.
The problem I have is that the vet suggested Rearguard and having read the instructions, basically I would have to sponge the rabbits' rear parts. Now Willow and Charlie are garden rabbits and whilst they accept us humans happily as the purveyors of fine food, they are not cuddly bunnies by any stretch of imagination. They don't run away when I go near them but they really don't like being touched, let alone being picked up. I don't think subjecting them to the process of sponging their nether regions will go down very well. We can do it if we absolutely have to, but it would seriously damage our status as friendly creatures.
However, looking at other options, I noticed that there are sprays available like the Beaphar Fly Guard spray and Johnson's Fly Strike Protector. These sound more promising because I think we would be able to use them, eliciting only the "flick of the hind leg", "you-are-dirt" response, rather than a total destruction of trust. But maybe these are not quite as effective, so I thought I's ask your opinion. What is your experience with the sprays? Are they effective enough or shall I put Charlie and Willow through the sponge ordeal?
Now I'm glad to say that in 10+ years of keeping rabbits we have never had a fly strike problem but of course I accept that just because we have been lucky so far we might not always be lucky. Summer is coming (apparently), there are horses and sheep in the field just behind our garden, so there will be a lot of flies around. But our rabbits are not neglected and we take their hygiene seriously.
The problem I have is that the vet suggested Rearguard and having read the instructions, basically I would have to sponge the rabbits' rear parts. Now Willow and Charlie are garden rabbits and whilst they accept us humans happily as the purveyors of fine food, they are not cuddly bunnies by any stretch of imagination. They don't run away when I go near them but they really don't like being touched, let alone being picked up. I don't think subjecting them to the process of sponging their nether regions will go down very well. We can do it if we absolutely have to, but it would seriously damage our status as friendly creatures.
However, looking at other options, I noticed that there are sprays available like the Beaphar Fly Guard spray and Johnson's Fly Strike Protector. These sound more promising because I think we would be able to use them, eliciting only the "flick of the hind leg", "you-are-dirt" response, rather than a total destruction of trust. But maybe these are not quite as effective, so I thought I's ask your opinion. What is your experience with the sprays? Are they effective enough or shall I put Charlie and Willow through the sponge ordeal?