Flystrike in Dogs – How to Protect Yours

Flystrike is a painful condition where flies bite and feed on a dog’s ear tissue. While it can affect any breed, it is most common in larger dogs like German Shepherds. 

A Case Study: Lassie (not her real name)

One extreme case involved “Lassie”, a German Shepherd rescued from a backyard breeder who forced her to produce eight litters in a row. Upon her rescue, she was brought to our clinic and received immediate medical intervention. 

Treatment 

• Sterilisation to prevent further breeding stress.
• Exspot Spot-On applied to her back to repel parasites.
• Shoo-Fly Ointment applied directly to her ears to heal the bites and deter flies. 

Prevention Tips

To protect your dog from flystrike, focus on eliminating fly breeding grounds and using physical barriers: 

• Hygiene: Pick up faeces daily and remove uneaten food immediately.
• Control: Use fly traps around the perimeter of your yard.
• Protection: For dogs prone to bites, apply preventative ointments or sprays regularly during fly season.