What Is Myiasis?
Myiasis is an infestation of a living animal’s skin or tissue by fly larvae (maggots). It is often called fly strike. Blowflies and flesh flies are drawn to moist, dirty or damaged skin and lay eggs there. In warm weather the eggs can hatch within hours, and the maggots start eating into the tissue, releasing toxins as they go. Rabbits are especially vulnerable, but dogs, cats, guinea pigs and other pets can be affected too.
Emergency, especially in rabbits
Fly strike can kill a rabbit within a day. If you see maggots or eggs on any pet, call a vet immediately rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Which Pets Are at Risk
- Rabbits with a dirty bottom from uneaten cecotropes, diarrhea or urine scald, often linked to obesity, arthritis or dental disease that stops them grooming; see rabbit care
- Older, overweight or immobile dogs and cats that cannot clean themselves
- Pets with urinary incontinence or ongoing diarrhea
- Pets with open wounds, hot spots, infected skin or matted fur holding moisture against the skin
- Pets kept or resting outdoors in warm, humid months
Myiasis is different from Cuterebra, where a single botfly larva grows in a breathing hole under the skin. Fly strike usually involves many small maggots on the surface and in wounds.
Signs
- Visible maggots or clusters of tiny cream-colored eggs on the fur
- A strong, rotten smell from the rear end, a wound or matted fur
- Wet, stained fur, holes or tunnels in the skin
- Restlessness, frantic licking or biting at one area
- In rabbits, sudden quietness, not eating or lying flat, which can signal shock
What to Do
- Call your vet or an emergency clinic straight away and say you suspect fly strike
- Keep your pet calm, warm and indoors away from flies on the way
- If you will be delayed, pick off visible maggots with tweezers, but do not delay the vet visit to do this
- Do not soak a rabbit in a bath, which can cause shock and chilling
- Do not use dog or cat flea products on rabbits; some, such as fipronil, are toxic to them
Vet Treatment
Treatment usually involves sedation or anesthesia, clipping the fur, removing every maggot, cleaning the wounds, pain relief, fluids, antibiotics and medication that kills remaining larvae. Your vet will also look for the reason the pet got struck, such as dental disease or arthritis, because fixing that prevents repeat cases. See also dog wound care for aftercare basics.
Prevention checklist
In warm months, check at-risk pets’ rear ends and wounds at least once a day, and twice a day for rabbits. Clean litter trays daily, use fly screens, keep pets at a healthy weight and keep long coats trimmed around the rear.
Prevention
A regular sanitary trim helps long-haired dogs, cats and rabbits stay clean; see how to groom a rabbit or book a groomer through our pet grooming directory. Ask your vet about rabbit-safe fly prevention products and about treating any condition that leaves your pet soiled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can indoor pets get fly strike?
Yes. A single fly indoors can lay eggs on a soiled or wounded pet, although the risk is lower than outdoors.
How fast does fly strike happen?
Eggs can hatch in a few hours in hot weather, and maggots can cause serious damage within a day, which is why daily checks matter.
Can people catch myiasis from pets?
Not directly. The flies lay eggs on whatever skin or wound attracts them, so the pet is not passing maggots to you, but good hygiene and wound care protect everyone.
If you find maggots on your pet, treat it as an emergency. Find a veterinary clinic near you for an exam.