Page 16 - link magazine

16 The Link Magazine • June 1999
With the approach of warmer strike will also be investigated.
weather, David Warnes of Shaw Good husbandry and fly-repel-
Veterinary Centre warns rabbit lent strategies can minimise the
owners about the dangers of cti Coriwr I risk to your pet. Rabbits kept out-
blowfly-strike. side in hutches should be picked
'd•
This is one of the most unpleas- up at least twice a day. They should
ant conditions affecting rabbits. be checked for signs of diarrhoea,
Rabbits need to be properly faeces stuck onto hair, urine scald-
Blowflies (blue or greenbottles)
feed on rotting organic matter. ing or vaginal discharge.
Attracted by soiled bedding or any cared for in hot weather If required, they shouid be
kind of discharge, they will lay cleaned immediately by bathing
eggs on a rabbit's fur and skin. which will begin to eat into the ill and may even die. gently in warm water and drying.
These will hatch within hours, pro- rabbit's flesh. Unless it is treated The vet will assess the extent of A vet should check any problems
ducing hundreds of maggots, rapidly, the rabbit will become very the damage to skin and underly- that are not resolved quickly. Bed-
ing tissues and will attempt to re- ding should be kept clean and dry,
Shaw vet principal David Warne, centre, with from left, veterinary nurse
move the maggots with forceps, which may mean cleaning out
Claire Stubbs, receptionists Emma Duckling and Kerry Williams, vets Michelle
having bathed the area in antisep- some or all of the hutch daily.
Lindsay and Stefania Glowka
tic solution. Tissue damage can be Fly repellents such as 'Mitex-R'
so severe that it is kinder to put the and mosquito nets can also pro-
animal to sleep. Antiseptic pow- vide some protection - your vet
der is used to kill any unhatched will be able to advise you on these.
eggs. The rabbit will then be given But vigilance during the warm
antibiotics and may be treated for months of the year is essential if
shock. Underlying medical prob- this distressing problem is to be
lems that may have caused the fly- avoided.

// E
\ VETERINARY SURGEONS
a
^ 1 > Simon Gower & Associates B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.
'X
• " 77 High Street, Purton Bath Road, Cricklade
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noV Tel: 771869 Tel: 751698
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