Yes — flystrike is one of the most urgent rabbit emergencies there is. If you see maggots on or near your rabbit's skin — usually around a damp or soiled bottom — get to a vet immediately. Flystrike can progress from the first eggs to tissue-destroying maggots and toxic shock within hours, and it is often fatal without rapid treatment. Do not wait; call ahead and go now.
## What flystrike is In warm months, flies lay eggs on a rabbit's damp, dirty, or wounded skin — most often the back end. The eggs hatch into maggots within hours and begin eating into the flesh, releasing toxins that cause rapid, life-threatening shock. It is agonising and moves alarmingly fast.
## Who is most at risk - Rabbits with a dirty or wet bottom (from diarrhoea, obesity, dental disease, arthritis, or an inability to eat their caecotrophs). - Rabbits in warm, humid weather (late spring through summer especially). - Rabbits with wounds, urine scald, or soiled bedding.
## What to do the moment you suspect it Go to the vet immediately — this is not a wait-and-book situation. On the way, you can gently remove visible maggots with tweezers if it doesn't delay you, and keep the rabbit warm and calm. Do not attempt to drown the maggots or use home remedies; the rabbit needs professional clipping, cleaning, maggot removal, pain relief, and anti-shock treatment.
Get to a vet immediately if you see any of these
- Any maggots visible on the skin or fur
- A wet, soiled, or foul-smelling bottom in warm weather
- Sudden lethargy or collapse with a dirty rear end
- Patches of damaged or open skin around the tail area
- Fly eggs (tiny cream-coloured clusters) in the fur
Common questions
How quickly does flystrike become dangerous?
Very quickly — eggs can hatch into flesh-eating maggots within hours, and toxic shock can follow the same day. This is a true drop-everything emergency.
My rabbit's bottom is dirty but I see no maggots — what should I do?
A dirty or damp bottom is the main risk factor for flystrike. Clean it gently, check closely for eggs or maggots, and see a vet promptly to find and fix the underlying cause (diarrhoea, dental disease, obesity, arthritis).
How do I prevent flystrike?
Check your rabbit's rear end at least twice daily in warm weather, keep the hutch clean and dry, address any cause of a soiled bottom, and ask your vet about preventive products. Prevention is far easier than treatment.
Sources
This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice, and cannot diagnose your pet. It does not replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. When in doubt, treat it as an emergency and contact a vet or your nearest 24/7 emergency clinic right away.
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