Etiology: Cuterebrid flies are also known as rodent and rabbit warble flies.

Incidence:  Cuterebriasis is extremely rare in research rabbits.  Incidence peaks in the summer and late fall.

Transmission:  Cuterebra lay eggs in the environment.  When a rabbit comes into contact with the eggs, they attach and hatch in response to the rabbit’s body heat.

Clinical Signs:  Single or multiple large, subcutaneous swellings containing encysted larvae with a fistula in the center are the characteristic lesions (A.).  When the larval fly (B.) is ready to pupate, it leaves the swelling and drops to the ground.  Secondary bacterial infections may complicate the disease.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis is made by finding and identifying a larva on the host.