Rabbit Eye Infection When To Call A Vet
When looking for a new companion animal, there are many aspects to consider. You want to ensure your new friend will be happy, healthy, and safe with you. You’ll be thinking about where the new pet will sleep at night; this is especially important if your rabbit’s housing situation isn’t ideal. If your rabbit doesn’t have enough space, it can lead to some interesting problems, such as eye troubles. Here is what you should know about rabbit eye infection when to call a vet:
Corneal Ulcers
A corneal ulcer is an area of damaged tissue on the eye’s surface. It is usually caused by trauma – a small bump or scratch – but sometimes it’s the result of a systemic issue affecting all body parts (like cancer). It is a very serious condition, and while it can be treated with eye drops, antibiotics, and other medications, it can also lead to blindness.
What causes a corneal ulcer?
The first thing to determine is why the tissue on the eye was injured in the first place. Chemicals in disinfectants, household cleaners, or pool chemicals may cause an injury. This can happen if a chemical-loaded mop accidentally hits your rabbit or if you spill something on their nose or eyelids. Eye ulcers don’t cause pain, so there’s no way to know if your rabbit has an ulcer until you find it and see damage to its cornea.
Another cause of a corneal ulcer is the reaction to a foreign substance on the eye. Foreign substances can result from other animals in the home if your rabbit scratches itself with their nails or lick the paint off of something recently painted. A foreign substance can also be a foreign object, like a screw from an electronic device or even something processed for everyone to eat.
If your rabbit has a corneal ulcer, it will be hard for them to see. They may look “cross eyed” and rub their eyes, but there won’t be any apparent pain. You’ll only know if there is damage by looking at their eyes once your vet examines them.
You can look for some symptoms to tell if your rabbit has a corneal ulcer. If you see a bump on the side of their eyelid, it could be an abscess caused by an infection known as pasteurellosis; this infection causes pus and may result from a corneal ulcer.
Use disinfectant to clean the area if your rabbit has an eye injury. Then head to the vet so they can examine it and find out what’s going on! The vet will check for any damage, give your little bunny some antibiotics, and more.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition in which pressure builds up in a part of your rabbit’s eye that causes damage to the optic nerve and retina. This can lead to blindness if left untreated. It all starts with stress or another kind of injury that causes an internal injury like a fracture; this breaks the blood vessels so fluid can build up behind the eyes. The fluid then travels through their optic nerve and into their back brain. Signs of glaucoma include cloudy eyes, blood in the eye fluid, eye pain, and lethargy.
What causes glaucoma?
It could result from an injury or something that happens inside their body that causes pressure to build up and increase inside their eyes. Glaucoma is not contagious or infectious, so it’s safe to keep your rabbit, but if left untreated, it can lead to blindness in your pet.
Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)
Pinkeye is fairly common in rabbits because they always have open eyes; this means there’s always a chance something will irritate them. It can be a tiny scratch on the eye, something rubbing against the eye, or possibly even a surface irritant like something with soap in it. Rabbits aren’t particularly good at picking up irritation from outside sources, so keeping your eyes on your rabbit and ensuring they look okay is important. Any irritation in their eyes for an extended period can cause this condition.
What causes pinkeye?
A pinkeye infection is caused by bacteria that inhabit the eyelids and cause inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane covering the inside of your rabbit’s eye). The bacteria is likely to enter the eye through a small tear or scratch on your bunny’s eye. The bacteria will start coming into contact with their eye and cause inflammation and infection.
If you notice something happening inside your rabbit’s eyes, make an appointment with the veterinarian to check it out. Also, be sure to wash your rabbit’s face and eyes, so there is no chance of infection if caught early enough.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Skin Cancer)
Squamous cell carcinoma includes a form of skin cancer that causes damage to the epidermis. If left untreated, this condition can spread quickly in rabbits. Squamous cell carcinoma is typically hard to treat and will leave your rabbit with wounds and scars. There are numerous types of skin cancer in humans, including one linked to the sun’s UV rays. Unfortunately, it is impractical to tell if your rabbit has squamous cell carcinoma until you take them to the vet; it’s important to pay close attention to their skin if they’ve been outside since exposure to the sun can lead to skin cancer.
What causes squamous cell carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma is caused by overexposure to the sun on your rabbit’s body; this includes their face. Rabbits are very sensitive to the sun, so remember to keep them out of the sun when they go outside. In addition, if you have more than one rabbit, it’s recommended that they be kept in the same living area, so they don’t become too stressed. If your rabbit is a male, many people will recommend trying to keep them away from other rabbits since their hormones can cause aggression.
There are several types of skin cancer in humans and rabbits; it’s critical to be aware of this to avoid any unwanted complications in either species.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR RABBIT HAS AN EYE PROBLEM:
Call your veterinarian’s office or emergency clinic immediately if you observe your rabbit struggling to see or blinking excessively in bright light. These are signs of an eye problem that requires immediate veterinary care.
In daily life, take note if you notice any abnormal behavior such as wearing sunglasses indoors, squinting, rubbing her eyes (including rubbing at night), staring into the distance, or bumping into things. These are signs of vision problems that may be avoided with proper care.
You can also create a regular eye exam for your rabbit. Sit or lie on the floor and have your rabbit come to you. Use a hand-held mirror to look at each eye. If she’s comfortable with it, you can even let her walk over your lap so she can sit in front of a mirror. That will help you understand how she perceives her surroundings and watch for any changes by following the tips above.
Remember that many rabbits have only one functional eye due to accidents or heredity factors common in dwarf breeds such as nystagmus (roving eye). Consult your veterinarian or an ophthalmologist if you have questions about your rabbit’s eyes.
Prevention is the best cure for common rabbit eye problems. Ensure your rabbit has a healthy diet, fresh water, and plenty of exercise. Since rabbits are prey animals, they are naturally apprehensive about unfamiliar objects and animals. Make sure you handle your pet regularly to lessen their apprehension about being handled. Always consult your veterinarian if you notice any changes in the appearance or behavior of your pet. However, if your rabbit’s eyes look swollen, red, and sore, they may have an eye problem that requires medical attention. Contact a professional vet near you as soon as possible if you notice something abnormal about your rabbit’s eyes.