12/09/2026
The blowies are out in force! We have seen several animals affected over the last fortnight. Please remain vigilant, the early signs are subtle and easy to miss.
🪰 **FLYSTRIKE: KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS**
Flystrike—also called being “flyblown”—occurs when blowflies lay eggs on an animal and the hatching maggots begin feeding on damaged skin and tissue.
It is extremely painful, can progress rapidly and may be fatal if left untreated.
🐑 **Sheep** are particularly vulnerable. Strike may develop in damp or manure/urine-stained wool around the back end, across the body following fleece rot, or around wounds.
🐐🐄🐴 **Goats, cattle and horses** can also be affected—particularly around wounds, skin infections, urine or faecal scalding, prepuce, foot lesions, surgical sites and the navels of newborn animals.
🔎 **Signs to watch for:**
• Repeated biting, licking or kicking at one area
• Tail twitching, foot stamping or restlessness
• Seeking shade or separating from the group
• Damp, darkened, stained or lifting wool
• Flies repeatedly gathering around one spot
• A foul smell
• Visible eggs or maggots
• Open, weeping or enlarging wounds
• Reduced appetite, depression, weakness or rapid weight loss
🚨 **If you find flystrike:**
Act immediately—do not wait to see if it improves. What you can see on the outside is often tip of the iceberg 😩
• Restrain the animal and examine the full extent of the affected area
• In woolled animals, clip the wool well beyond the visibly affected margins
• Physically remove maggots and thoroughly clean the wound
• Apply an appropriate, species-approved flystrike treatment exactly according to the label
• Check the entire animal carefully for additional strike sites
• Isolate and monitor the animal closely
Veterinary treatment may be needed for pain relief, wound debridement, secondary infection, dehydration or shock. Deep, extensive or foul-smelling wounds—or an animal that is dull, weak, off-feed or difficult to examine—require urgent veterinary attention.
Please do not apply diesel, kerosene, sump oil or other home remedies to the wound.
✅ **Prevention is much easier than treatment:**
• Check animals frequently during warm, humid weather and after rain - such as now!! ☀️🌧️☀️
• Inspect underneath wool or hair rather than relying on a quick look from a distance
• Treat diarrhoea, urine scald, foot disease and skin conditions promptly
• Keep back ends clean and arrange timely shearing or crutching
• Check wounds, surgical sites and newborn navels daily
• Remove carcasses and other material that attracts blowflies
• Use preventative fly treatments strategically where appropriate
• Always check the product’s target species, dose, protection period, withholding period and export slaughter interval
⚠️ Animals can become seriously unwell surprisingly quickly. If you suspect flystrike or are unsure how extensive it is, contact your veterinarian promptly.
