Flystrike (myiasis) is a life-threatening condition in which flies lay eggs on a rabbit, and the hatching maggots consume living tissue. It is entirely preventable but remains a leading cause of rabbit welfare emergencies in the UK.
Flystrike welfare significance is extreme - the condition causes rapidly escalating agony as maggots consume living tissue, and death without intervention within 24-48 hours. Yet it is entirely preventable through basic hygiene, health monitoring, and preventive treatment. The welfare failure is almost always one of knowledge and attention rather than impossible conditions. Rabbits experiencing flystrike show initial restlessness then rapid deterioration into shock. Any rabbit found with maggots requires emergency veterinary treatment immediately - do not attempt to remove maggots at home. Prevention through twice-daily checks costs minutes of time and saves immense suffering.