Fly Strike

I recently noticed one of my lambs was acting a little strange, after a quick inspection I found the poor fulla has a case of fly strike. He is all better now, here is a short blog on the nasty condition.   


What is fly strike? 

It’s a horrible condition that occurs when blowflies lay their eggs in the wool, when hatched the larvae or maggots eat the skin causing a nasty wound in the animal.  

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Fly strike can occur in many animals but is most prevalent in sheep. It usually occurs in summertime time when the temperature warms up and blowflies are around, dirty wool around the back end is the most common place to be fly struck.


What to look for

Struck animals may show signs of irritation if the is affected, this could include restlessness, scratching, stamping their feet, seeking shade or biting the affected area. They may have wool hanging or falling off around the rear end or belly.


Treatment

Treatment involves removing the maggots and treating the affected area with a flystrike powder this is available from your vet or rural supply store.  Be sure to check the withholding time on the product for meat and wool.

A few additional tips:

• Check your animals regularly to ensure it doesn’t return. 
• In severe cases the animal may have to be put down.
• Using an insect repellent can stop the flies from returning while the wound heals.
• Removing affected animals from the flock can make it easier to keep an eye on them.

Tips for prevention

• Keep an eye out during shearing time as nicks and cuts can attract flies.
  
• Keeping animals in open paddocks can reduce fly strike, as flies like sheltered areas.
  
• Fly traps can be an effective method of controlling fly numbers and therefore flystrike.
  
• Keep the wool length short, shear your sheep at least once a year.
  
• Keeping your animals clean is probably the be prevention method, especially keeping dags under control.
  
  
• Keeping worms under control by drenching will reduce the incidence of diarrhea and help keep their wool cleaner.
  
  
• Pour-ons and dipping are also an effective control method
  
  

Talk to your vet they will be able to assist you with what treatment or prevention method suits you best.


Euan