Now that spring is here and summer is fast on its heels, animal lovers are thinking about purchasing a rabbit for their children to care for and play with. This is a wonderful idea as rabbits are sociable little creatures and with the right care and attention make lovely pets for children and adults alike. They love to run around in their rabbit runs kicking their legs and generally having fun

However, it’s worth remembering that in this warmer weather, blue bottle flies hatch and these put rabbits at risk. Blue bottles will seek out dirty places and these can often be found around the rear end of rabbits if they are not groomed properly or their rabbit hutch is not kept clean. The flies will lay eggs in dirty rabbit hutches and dirty rabbit bottoms and in about 24 hours the maggots hatch and begin to feed on the body of the rabbit.

As you can imagine, this is absolutely horrific and the prognosis is not good unless it is discovered and treated in the early stages. As always, there are certain precautions which you should take to help prevent the problem.

Good hygiene is paramount at all times, but especially during the warmer weather. Rabbit hutches should be cleaned out thoroughly at least once a week and any dirty corners should ideally be done twice weekly. You can also buy sprays on the market which are quite effective in deterring flies.

Did you know that overweight rabbits are at greater risk as if are too fat they can’t easily reach to clean round their back ends. This is why we recommend that all rabbits should be examined twice a week and the dirty areas around their back end should be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. Your vet can advise you on what type to use.

If the rabbits are kept inside a shed rather than outside in a rabbit hutch it should be easier to control flies as you can use flypapers or fly spray to keep the flies down. If you prefer the more natural approach, try tying a spray of fresh lavender to the hutch as flies tend to hate the smell – just remember to keep this out of reach of your rabbit so that he cannot eat it !!

Lavender talc can also be sprinkled on your rabbit’s bottom in the summer although if you groom him regularly this should not be necessary.

If you notice your rabbit sitting unhappily at the back of his rabbit hutch check his back end and if this is dirty it is best to assume the worst. Make up a solution of antiseptic and warm water in a bowl and sit the rabbit in the bowl for a minute or so. If you have a long haired variety of rabbit, cut the fur off close to the skin.

If you see any maggots use tweezers to remove them and ensure that the whole of the maggot is removed. Be very careful when doing this as a rabbit’s skin is paper thin and can soon be damaged. It may be better to take your rabbit to the vet and let him do this for you. If the maggots are not removed fully, they can burrow deep into your rabbit’s body and can do so much damage that your rabbit may die or have to be euthanised.

Keeping your rabbit well groomed and cleaning out his rabbit hutch very regularly will ensure that this awful problem does not occur – we like to live in a clean and healthy environment and so will your rabbit. Your rabbit will also need access to lots of clean, fresh water daily and provide him with quality rabbit food and fresh veg. to keep him in tip-top condition.

Remember that a clean rabbit is usually a happy, healthy rabbit who will give you lots of love and provide you with lots of fun for years to come.