Warbles (Parasitic)

Cause:
Larvae of a specific bot fly

Symptoms:
Irritation, raised area under the skin, swelling. If you examine the enlargement should reveal a small opening in the skin. In the more advanced stages of growth the larva can be seen inside the opening and you can feel them.

Treatment:
Get some insecticide and put some drops on the larvae. Make a small incision to remove with forceps. Once the larvae are removed, apply an antibiotic powder/spray/ointment to the wound to help with healing.


Warrbles is cause by an adult fly laying eggs in hair of rabbits. Once the larvae hatch they burrow beneath the skin which causes swelling and enlargement.

In the early stages, sometimes you can squeeze the pocket and force the larvae out. Unfortunately it isn't usually found until the later stages when the irritation causes the rabbit to scratch and lick the area constantly. These actions usually bring attention to the problem.

Screening the hutches is the only method to keep the adult fly out. Fortunately the type of fly causing this condition is not very common.
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