Here we can see, “Rabbit Eye Problems”
Rabbits eyes are huge and positioned on either side of their heads. In the environment, this eye arrangement allows rabbits to see objects approaching them from both sides, which is beneficial. Rabbits’ eyes are often farsighted, allowing them to spot predators approaching from afar. Rabbits, however, are prone to a range of ocular disorders due to their morphology.
What Causes Rabbit Eye Problems?
Rabbit eyes, while having advantages in the natural world, have flaws. Rabbits have a blind zone in front of them due to the placement of their eyes on each side of their heads. Their eyes are also so big that they are frequently injured by objects. Foreign items in the eye, injuries, and illnesses are all common ocular problems in rabbits.
Foreign Bodies in the Eye
A foreign body is anything that shouldn’t be in or near your rabbit’s eye, such as bedding, food, or anything else that doesn’t belong there. These things are frequently light and can become caught in a large eye.
Abscesses in Rabbit’s Eyes
It is possible for the eye to be punctured, infected, and abscessed. A wound around the eye causes the area right under the eye to swell up and an abscess to form. You may notice a bump under your rabbit’s eye that comes out of nowhere one day. This is typically caused by an infected scratch or bite.
Ulcers in Rabbit’s Eye
When something gets stuck in your rabbit’s eye, like a piece of bedding, or when the eyeball itself is hurt, the clear outer layer of the eye, called the cornea, can be hurt.
In the cornea, an ulcer is a hole or imperfection. It could be a small spot or it could completely cover your eye. Ulcers are excruciatingly painful. Your rabbit may be scratching its eye with its paw or holding it shut. These are indicators that your rabbit’s eye is uncomfortable or irritated.
Conjunctivitis in Rabbit’s Eye
Conjunctivitis, sometimes known as “pink eye,” is an inflammation of the pink flesh surrounding your rabbit’s eye. The conjunctiva is the pink to red-colored fleshy portion of the eye. Conjunctivitis can be caused by contaminated water or an environment that houses germs, such as a filthy cage or a litter box where rabbits prefer to sleep.
Proptosis in Rabbit Eyes
This is the most serious sort of eye issue in rabbits, as well as the least prevalent. Proptosis occurs when your rabbit’s eyeball pops out of its head. The only way this could happen is if your bunny has been subjected to severe trauma, such as a dog attack or being squeezed so hard that its eye pops out.
Iris Prolapse in Rabbit’s Eye
An iris prolapse, also known as a protruding iris, happens when the iris, the component of the eye that constricts and dilates, protrudes through the cornea. This is not a very common eye problem, but if it does happen, you may notice a clear bump on the surface of your rabbit’s eye.
Blindness in Rabbits
Rabbits can be born blind owing to congenital defects, or blindness can be caused by trauma or a medical condition such as cataracts. A pet bunny, regardless of the cause of its blindness, should be OK without it. It will still be able to smell where its food is in its cage, but be mindful that it may struggle to navigate outside of an unfamiliar environment.
Treatment
The treatment for rabbit eye problems depends on the diagnosis. Antibiotics can treat the majority of infection-related issues. Because rabbits cannot tolerate all antibiotics, you should seek out a veterinarian that specialises in rabbit medication. If you feel something is amiss with your rabbit’s eyes, take it seriously and visit your veterinarian immediately. If a rabbit is blind, there is no way to fix it unless it has a cataract that can be removed.
Taking Care of Strangers
You may be able to remove the item from your rabbit’s eye with a cotton swab, saline rinse, and sometimes even some eye lubricant. If you are unsuccessful, take your rabbit to an exotic veterinarian so that the foreign body can be properly removed without hurting the eye. When a foreign body is difficult to remove or your rabbit refuses to open its eye, some light sedation, or anaesthesia, is used. This will calm your bunny down and allow your veterinarian to work more swiftly without endangering his or her eye.
Abscess Treatment
Regardless of the cause of the abscess, your rabbit must see a veterinarian and have the abscess removed. The abscess will drain and the infection will be eradicated as a result. Your veterinarian may open the abscess with a scalpel blade or a needle, then gently squeeze the infectious material out. Depending on the severity of the infection around the eye, your veterinarian may send you home with eye drops and systemic antibiotics (typically a liquid given through your rabbit’s mouth) to prevent it from spreading.
Ulcer Treatment
Your exotic veterinarian will use a particular eye dye that will cling to the ulcer on the eye to diagnose an ulcer. They’ll then use a special light to illuminate any stain stuck to an ulcer. If your rabbit has an ulcer, you’ll be sent home with medications and will need to come back in a few days or a week to make sure the ulcer isn’t becoming worse.
Conjunctivitis Treatment
Bacterial conjunctivitis is common in rabbit eyes. A veterinarian will figure out what’s wrong and treat it with an antibiotic eye drop or ointment.
Treating Rare Diseases
When a rabbit develops proptosis, the eye must be removed since it is dangling from the optic nerve. It can sometimes be surgically replaced. Iris prolapse is both unpleasant and uncommon. Simple eye drops may be used to treat it, and it may go away. Sometimes, surgery is needed to replace the iris that is sticking out and sew the hole in the cornea back together.
How to Avoid Rabbit Eye Problems
While rabbit eye problems cannot be completely avoided, you can take some precautions to help keep your rabbit’s eyes healthy.
- It is critical to have a clean habitat, cage, and water. Bacteria thrive in filthy environments. A serious illness could ensue if any of these bacteria entered the animal’s body or eye through a scratch or cut.
- Take measures with your rabbit both inside and outside of its cage, paying special attention to its eyes.
- Avoid using sticks or other things that could poke your rabbit’s eye during playtime.
- Keep an eye on your rabbit’s behaviour and contact the vet at once if you notice it rubbing its eye.
User Questions
What is wrong with my rabbit’s eye?
Dacryocystitis, often known as weepy eye in rabbits, is an inflammatory disorder of the tear ducts. Dacryocystitis can affect one or both eyes, and it’s frequently linked to other medical issues, including conjunctivitis. Rabbit tear ducts are long, thin, and twisting, with physical proximity to the nose and teeth.
Are rabbit eye infections fatal?
Myxomatosis is the most severe of these viral illnesses. Conjunctivitis, as well as head and vaginal enlargement, are all symptoms of this virus. Fortunately, while myxomatosis is usually fatal, rabbits can be vaccinated against it. Conjunctivitis is caused by the rabbit parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi.
What is “cloudy rabbit eye”?
It can happen for a variety of reasons, but it’s usually linked to a bacterial infection (encephalitozoon cuniculi). Other factors include a dietary shortage or high blood glucose levels. Cataracts might also develop without any apparent cause.
Can I use eye drops on my rabbit?
Putting anything into the eye, which is one of the most sensitive regions of the body, can cause irritation. Eye drops and ointments, on the other hand, are meant for use in the eye and will cause only minor discomfort. After you put the drops in, your rabbit may blink a lot or have a “watery eye” for a few moments.
Is my bunny going blind?
If your rabbit frequently bumps into things or is easily frightened by sounds or approaching objects, they may be blind or poorly sighted. They may also walk slowly and cautiously in new environments and become apprehensive. When exploring, many vision-impaired rabbits prefer to stay near to the wall.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful guide. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to use the form below.
