Blowfly strike (flystrike) is one of the most painful and potentially fatal conditions affecting sheep worldwide. Flies lay eggs in soiled, moist wool, and the hatching maggots cause progressive tissue destruction that can kill a sheep within days if untreated.
Flystrike causes progressive, excruciating pain as maggots consume living tissue. The ammonia produced by maggot activity causes additional chemical burns. Sheep instinctively hide pain and may not show obvious signs until severely struck. Treatment requires removal of all maggots, clipping of affected wool, application of insecticidal wound sprays, and in severe cases systemic antibiotics and supportive care. Prevention through regular inspection, dagging, and insecticide use is far preferable to treatment. Mulesing causes acute pain equivalent to surgical wounding without anaesthesia and is the subject of major international welfare campaigns driving industry reform.