How to deal with maggots and fly eggs (fly-strike)

These are commonly found on sickly hedgehogs which are out in the daytime particularly throughout the summer. Check all orifices including the mouth, nose, eyes, ears and rear end.

Fly eggs - these look like damp clusters of sawdust and can be anywhere in the spines and fur on the body. They can be brushed off the spines using an old toothbrush and removed from the fur using tweezers or a flea comb. They can be flushed from the ears, mouth, anus etc using salt water in a syringe. Use Optrex to flush the eyes.

Where the fly eggs or maggots are on the hedgehog's body will usually indicate what is wrong ie: if there are many around the anus that will indicate enteritis or a gut problem, or they may be seen in and around an infected wound that may not be visible. It is important that every single fly egg and maggot is removed.