Scientists create warning system for flystrike
Owners are advised to check their animals regularly to ensure they are healthy, clean and able to groom themselves.
Liverpool scientists are using big data and text mining methods to create a warning system for flystrike in pet rabbits.
A team from the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) studied electronic health records from more than 40,000 rabbit consultations, which took place at veterinary practices across the UK. They identified around 300 cases of flystrike by programming computers to screen for suspect cases.
The majority of cases occurred between June and September, according to third year veterinary student Rachel Turner, who carried out the work as part of her undergraduate course.
Dr Phil Jones, who helped to supervise the project, added: “SAVSNET collects very large volumes of real-time data and this work is a fantastic example of how we can turn this data into valuable research, helping to identify those animals most at risk, whilst simultaneously providing a timely health message for owners of pet rabbits and the veterinary surgeons that care for them.”
Researchers ultimately hope to develop a valuable forecasting tool for farmers, as flystrike can also be a huge problem for sheep flocks.
Flystrike occurs from spring to autumn, when female flies lay their eggs on the host and feed on the surface of the skin, causing severe tissue damage that is susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. The flies are particularly attracted to soiled fur and diseased skin around the animal’s back end.
Owners are advised to check their animals regularly to ensure they are healthy, clean and able to groom themselves. If there are any concerns, rabbits should be taken to a veterinary surgeon immediately as the disease can progress rapidly - within 24 hours - causing serious welfare problems and resulting in fatality.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
