Blowfly Strike
To die from this must be one of the worst ways out I could
possibly think off for it is nothing less than being eaten
up by maggots from inside!. I am being deliberately dramatic
about this for there are precautions that can be taken to
avoid this terrible death.
The eggs of the blowfly can hatch within twelve hours of
being laid in the animal and they immediately start to burrow
deeper under the skin or anus, nostrils, mouth and ears. If
they are not immediately eliminated using anti parasitic drugs
or dips, the animal will die within twenty four to forty eight
hours.
Elderly guinea pigs are more prone to this problem than
the younger ones for they are more likely to be slightly incontinent
and thus attract the fly. Long haired guinea pigs who's rearend
hair has not been trimmed back, and consequently can become
soiled are also more vulnerable. Blowfly strike is relatively
rare with guinea pigs that are housed indoors.
In hot summer weather the following precautions should always
be taken.
Never use conventional fly killers or repellents in spray
form for they can be very hazardous to guinea pigs. The type
that are hung up and impregnated with fly killer are fine
but I wouldn't recommend that they be hung too close top the
quarters. The best answer is to D.I.Y. using essential oils.
A mixture of citronella, lemon balm, lavender and geranium
is the one I use but there are several other essential oils
that repel or kill insects. Be warned, if you use lavender,
this also repels rodents, and Guinea pigs, being of that family
get very agitated when they first catch a whiff of it!. However,
they get used to it and quickly settle down.
Put a dab of citronella on the fur on the rumps of elderly
stock as a second line of defence. A quick burst of the conventional
Sectine spray is also very effective.
