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Blowfly larvae are frequently found on the soft skin of the underside of the neck but more commonly at the vent of pet rabbits and are usually accompanied with some degree of internal malaise in the affected rabbit, sometimes precedent, sometimes subsequent to the infestation.  In general the flies are attracted by putrefactive sulphur-rich volatile compounds produced by bacteria whereas the presence of ammonia encourages oviposition. The first stage larvae are non-pathogenic. It’s only the second and third stages that cause tissue damage.

Blowfly larvae are frequently found on the soft skin of the underside of the neck but more commonly at the vent of pet rabbits and are usually accompanied with some degree of internal malaise in the affected rabbit, sometimes precedent, sometimes subsequent to the infestation.  In general the flies are attracted by putrefactive sulphur-rich volatile compounds produced by bacteria whereas the presence of ammonia encourages oviposition. The first stage larvae are non-pathogenic. It’s only the second and third stages that cause tissue damage.

Predisposing Causes: when considering accompanying internal illnesses, include uterine hyperplasia and coccidiosis.

'''Predisposing Causes''': when considering accompanying internal illnesses, include uterine hyperplasia and coccidiosis.

==Clinical Signs==

==Clinical Signs==

*Tertiary damage (cf. burn injuries) is indicative of euthanasia  

*Tertiary damage (cf. burn injuries) is indicative of euthanasia  

==Development of ''Lucilia serricata'' in hours (Cousqueur 2006)==

==Development of ''Lucilia serricata'' in hours (Cousquer 2006)==

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*Suturing dressings in place

*Suturing dressings in place

*Granuflex or Duoderm

*Granuflex or Duoderm

(See Cousquer 2006)

(See Cousquer 2006)

The Kill Time50 of permethrin on adult flies is 4 – 4.5 minutes  and it is used to repel mosquitoes and green bottle. Permethrin also kills maggots: In vitro 500 mcgm per cm2 kills 100% of all larval forms in 5 minutes. However, it is not recommended to apply Xenex Ultra to the skin unless it’s intact because it’s irritant - permethrin is a wax and requires propylene glycol as a solvent to allow the product to flow from the phial onto the rabbit’s skin.  It also takes a while to build up at wound sirtes etc when administered percutaneously so is not recommended for use in acute cases of myiasais requiring treatment – it takes too long to be absorbed from the site of application and then to work through the discharges and matted fur around the site of infestation.

The Kill Time50 of permethrin on adult flies is 4 – 4.5 minutes  and it is used to repel mosquitoes and green bottle. Permethrin also kills maggots: In vitro 500 mcgm per cm2 kills 100% of all larval forms in 5 minutes. However, it is not recommended to apply Xenex Ultra to the skin unless it’s intact because it’s irritant - permethrin is a wax and requires propylene glycol as a solvent to allow the product to flow from the phial onto the rabbit’s skin.  It also takes a while to build up at wound sirtes etc when administered percutaneously so is not recommended for use in acute cases of myiasais requiring treatment – it takes too long to be absorbed from the site of application and then to work through the discharges and matted fur around the site of infestation.

===Emergency procedure===

==Emergency procedure==

Give ivermectin, oxytetracycline, the NSAID and fluids, keep the animal warm and wait for an effect for an hour or two before you pick the maggots off.  Mild antiseptics, 1% chlorhexidine (Vetasept®; Animalcare) or 10% povidone iodine (Tamodine®; Vetark Professional), are syringed into the various cavities made and/or enlarged by the larvae. I prefer to have the rabbit placed on a cake-cooling tray during the procedure (the wire mesh allows the maggots to fall through and keeps the fur of the rabbit reasonably dry – this is very important as wetting can lead to further fur loss and hypothermia), usually under hypnosis or deep sedation or anaesthesia (ketamine/xylazine).

Give ivermectin, oxytetracycline, the NSAID and fluids, keep the animal warm and wait for an effect for an hour or two before you pick the maggots off.  Mild antiseptics, 1% chlorhexidine (Vetasept®; Animalcare) or 10% povidone iodine (Tamodine®; Vetark Professional), are syringed into the various cavities made and/or enlarged by the larvae. I prefer to have the rabbit placed on a cake-cooling tray during the procedure (the wire mesh allows the maggots to fall through and '''keeps the fur of the rabbit reasonably dry''' – this is very important as wetting can lead to further fur loss and hypothermia), usually under hypnosis or deep sedation or anaesthesia (ketamine/xylazine).

 

===Prevention===

===Prevention===

*Hygiene and the removal of the predisposing cause are obviously of prime importance in the prevention of this distressing condition.  

*Hygiene and the removal of the predisposing cause are obviously of prime importance in the prevention of this distressing condition.  

Cyromazine (Rearguard®; Novartis) is licensed for use in rabbits as a preventative – it prevents the moult from L1 to L2 and has a ten week duration of action.

Cyromazine (Rearguard®; Novartis) is licensed for use in rabbits as a preventative – it prevents the moult from L1 to L2 and has a ten week duration of action.

[[Category:Diseases_and_Disorders_-_Rabbit]]

 

 

 

[[Category:Ectoparasites_-_Rabbit]]

[[Category:To Do - Medium]][[Category:To Do - Exotics]]