Worried About Fly Strike

[Piggie_lover_20]

Hi everyone
I recently read the tread about the dangers of fly strike in these Sumer months and I have a few questions:
-Inside my house Is very cool and air-conditioned, since flies are attracted to humid areas, could my Guinea's get it if they stay inside?
- do the flies also my their eggs on rotting vegetables, or does it have to be flesh?
- my Guinea pigs cage is clean throughly every week, and spot cleaned about 3 times a week. Is that enough or because of this threat do I have to clean it out more?
Sorry. I am such a worrier and this is my first summer as a Guinea pig owner. I didn't even know about Fly Strike until I read the thread. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thx!

 

[gizzy]

Hi there , it's sensible to worry about fly strike it's effects are devastating! , the cleaner and drier you cage the better , and a daily bum cheq would be helpful to keep them at bay

Quote! The life cycle of a house fly begins in the egg stage. A female house fly is capable of laying up to 150 eggs in a batch. Over a period of a few days, she will produce five or six batches of eggs. Female house flies favor damp, dark surfaces such as compost, manure and other decomposing organic material for egg laying.

 

[gizzy]

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&s...qguRzkAK9FCOxdnSQ&sig2=6S6g25P05-PXDBKfQ1b3hQ

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone
I recently read the tread about the dangers of fly strike in these Sumer months and I have a few questions:
-Inside my house Is very cool and air-conditioned, since flies are attracted to humid areas, could my Guinea's get it if they stay inside?
- do the flies also my their eggs on rotting vegetables, or does it have to be flesh?
- my Guinea pigs cage is clean throughly every week, and spot cleaned about 3 times a week. Is that enough or because of this threat do I have to clean it out more?
Sorry. I am such a worrier and this is my first summer as a Guinea pig owner. I didn't even know about Fly Strike until I read the thread. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thx!

Fly strike only happens from flies that lay their eggs directly into the flesh of living animals, but it is VERY rare in indoors guinea pigs - and then only if you have a frail/ill piggy with a dirty/soggy bum and the very bad luck to have the wrong kind of fly finding their way indoors. Most flies are thankfully harmless and lay heir eggs elsewhere.

With the tips in our fly strike guide you should be able to perfectly avoid it from happening. Fly strike is not common at all in well looked after guinea pigs, but it is devastating when it happens. I have written the guide because most people are not aware that even the well cared for pet guinea pigs they put outdoors in a hutch or on the lawn in summer could be at risk in certain circumstances, usually with a trace of blood somewhere in the urine or in an open wound and some build-up of smelly muck.

Just think twice about putting a guinea pig with an acute urinary tract infection/IC/stones on the lawn if they struggle to keep up with the self-cleaning. The same goes for older and frailer guinea pigs that develop soggy/dirty bottoms. Keep the bum hair around the genitalia and back legs cut short in lang-haired guinea pigs.

Having a reasonable cleaning regime (like you do) and keeping flies down is the best prevention. Normal healthy guinea pigs will not be affected by fly strike, as they don't provide the right kind of breeding ground for flesh laying flies. The vast majority of guinea pigs are good at keeping themselves clean as long their conditions allow it and therefore won't be at risk!

 

[Elwickcavies]

I agree with Wiebke! It's only really an issue for elderly or ill guinea pigs, usually when they are outside. It sounds like you are doing the right things so it's very unlikely to be a problem for you.

 

[Piggie_lover_20]

Thanks you so much. I don't know why I worry so much! My girls are 3 and 4, so not very elderly