Help! Panicking about flystrike/maggots etc.

[obsessedwithanimals]

After reading various threads about fly strike in bunnies on Rabbits United (and seeing various gruesome pictures!) plus my neighbours bunny died from it and then finding out piggies can suffer from it too I've started to freak out a bit.
How can I stop them from suffering from it and what are the signs to looks out for? I've only realised piggies can be effected today :red (feel bad I didn't realise it before ) People seem to give their rabbits "bottie checks" but theres no way I'd be able to do it with Millie and Pepsi.
Although really friendly they're not very used to being picked up and after Pepsi escaping I don't really want to have to take them out of their hutch like that again.
I can however get them to stand up against the bars of the hutch and can check their bits a bit from there?

Any advice would be much appreciated!xx

 

[MargaretB]

I think that keeping everything clean and changing their bedding regularly will reduce the risk of fly strike, but I do agree that checking them is the best way to detect any problems. I hope you don't mind me saying , but I think you need to find a way of handling your piggies regularly, whether that means changing their cage set up. Many people weigh theirs regularly as do I, as this is a good way of detecting illness early on and handling means you can detect any changes in them or lumps or bumps etc. Also, it's a lovely way to bond with them. They soon settle down once they get used to regular handling.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi, it is important to be aware of flystrike but if your piggies are healthy and kept nice and clean you do not need to panic.

All animals can get flystrike especially when injured or ill and unable to keep themselves clean. Certain species seem to be more at risk than others, especially rabbits and sheep ( which is why baby lambs have their tails removed and sheep are routinely dipped). One of the major problems with pet rabbits is that most are fed an inappropriate diet and are often over weight. if rabbits are fed a rich diet, ie a lot of dry rabbit food of whatever type they stop eating their caecotrophs which then stick to their bottoms and attract flies. rabbits are very bad at not eating hay when there are other things on offer, unlike piggies who usually still love to munch on their hay when other food is available.

The best things to do re prevention are to always keep your pigs' accomodation clean, not allow them to become over weight and take extra care of unwell or elderly pigs - often piggies aged 6 or 7 can become a bit stiff and weaker in their back legs, so less able to groom and clean themselves

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

I should also have added that if you do have an animal with flystrike it is essential that they are seen immediately by a vet regardless of the time of day/night or day of the week, to have a chance of survival - flystrike is a true emergency