Blowfly strike causes horrific welfare suffering in UK sheep, with maggots consuming living tissue — early detection and prevention are the cornerstones of flock welfare management during the risk season.
Maggot-infested sheep experience extreme pain from tissue destruction — affected animals show tail-wagging, biting at the site, and progressive deterioration. Severely struck sheep are found recumbent, reluctant to move, and sometimes showing neurological signs from toxin absorption. Early-stage flystrike is often missed because sheep hide signs of illness from predators. Treatment requires removal of maggots, clipping, wound care, and systemic treatment — but welfare is severely compromised in the days before detection and treatment. Prevention through insecticide application, dagging, and monitoring is far preferable to treatment.