Nature has endowed rabbits with excellent eyesight. In addition, they see almost 360 degrees around them. This ability was passed on to domestic animals from their wild hare relatives. In the wild, it helps them to see danger in time and quickly hide. But often this or that infection can provoke eye diseases in rabbits. It is necessary to determine the problem in a timely manner and start treatment.
The main causes of eye diseases
Diseases of the organs of vision in rabbits occur for a number of reasons:
- Infection (viruses, fungi, bacteria).
- Inflammatory processes.
- They are injured in fights.
- It is one of the symptoms of severe systemic diseases (for example, myxomatosis).
- Can be transmitted at the genetic level by heredity (birth defect).
Pronounced symptoms indicate problems:
- The rabbit is apathetic.
- Appetite decreases or completely disappears.
- The rabbit constantly tries to comb its face and eyes with its front paws.
- Swollen eyelids.
- The cornea acquires a reddish tint.
- Increased lacrimation or purulent discharge is possible.
- In the corners of the rabbit’s eyes, fur is sticking out.
Why does a rabbit’s eyes fester
Eye suppuration in rabbits is quite common. But it is not a separate disease, but only indicates the presence of pathology in the animal’s body.
A rabbit’s eyes fester when:
- affected by viruses or bacteria;
- allergies;
- colds;
- trauma;
- hits of garbage, dust;
- conjunctivitis;
- keratitis;
- myxomatosis
Rabbits’ eyeballs can turn sour even with improper nutrition.
Importantly! If pus is noticed in a rabbit, you should urgently call a veterinarian to determine the exact cause of the symptom and prescribe a treatment regimen.
Why does a rabbit’s eyes water
If a rabbit has watery eyes, there may be several reasons for this:
- ingress of dirt;
- trauma;
- inflammation;
- conjunctivitis;
- keratitis;
- cold;
- the teeth are cut (the lacrimal canal is affected);
- avitaminosis;
- allergic manifestations.
To prevent lacrimation in rabbits will help:
- Timely grinding of constantly growing teeth.
- A balanced diet (cobs of corn, peas, hard cereals, tree branches, carrots, apples should be present in the menu).
- Surgical treatment of a tooth blocking the lacrimal canal (extraction).
Why do rabbits have red eyes
Red eyes for rabbits can be both a variant of the norm and a manifestation of the disease.
Normally, the red color is characteristic of albino rabbits (animals with white fur that do not produce coloring pigment). Their iris is completely transparent, and blood vessels are visible through the colorless iris (they shade the eyes in red).
But if the eyes had a different color, and then suddenly became red, it is necessary to urgently look for the cause of the pathological change. After all, a rabbit’s eyes become red as a result of an injury, exposure to dust, chemicals, illness (conjunctivitis, allergy).
The principle of pre-medical care is the same for all the indicated symptoms (redness, lacrimation, discharge of pus). Before the arrival of a specialist, it is recommended to perform a number of preventive procedures that will alleviate the rabbit’s painful condition and help avoid complications.
The following is carried out at home:
- A sick animal is isolated from healthy ones in quarantine.
- The cage of the injured rabbit is thoroughly disinfected.
- High humidity in the rabbit hutch is eliminated.
- The animal needs to wash its eyes with an antiseptic solution.
- It should be controlled so that the animal does not comb its eyes, or wear a special veterinary collar (secondary infection can cause a septic process and the death of the rabbit).
After a veterinarian’s examination, the rabbit is treated as prescribed. Which therapy is suitable is always decided only by the doctor.
They are treated sequentially, step by step:
- Washing (with a solution of potassium permanganate, furacilin, boric acid or “Albucid”).
- Burying (eye drops with zinc, “Albucid”, Levomycetin drops).
- Applying medication to the eyelid (boron, iodoform, hydrocortisone ointment).
- In case of allergies, the pet is given antihistamines.
Vitamin deficiency and food allergy as causes of eye diseases in rabbits
Allergies are among the common problems in rabbits. Consumption of food allergens can provoke this condition. The rabbit becomes lethargic, immobile, has a runny nose, swelling of the eyelids, and decreased appetite. The animal constantly scratches its ears and face with its paws.
First of all, you need to determine the source of the disease by gradually eliminating each type of food. When the allergen is identified, it is completely excluded from the rabbit’s diet, so that the eyes do not hurt again and other no less severe symptoms do not appear. It is recommended to give antihistamines to relieve primary symptoms.
Many rabbit health problems can be caused by an unbalanced diet. With a lack of the necessary vitamins and microelements, a diagnosis of hypovitaminosis or avitaminosis is made.
With such a pathological condition, not only the growth and development of the rabbit is delayed, but also vision problems appear. For example, conjunctivitis caused by vitamin deficiency can cause blindness in an animal. Vitamin A is directly responsible for vision, so the rabbit must receive it with food in sufficient quantities.
An adult rabbit should receive 1 to 1.5 grams of vitamin A per day, the recommended rate for a pregnant female is 3 to 3.5 grams, and young animals should receive 0.3-0.5 grams of the substance per day.
A lot of vitamin A in vegetables (especially carrots), greens (clover, alfalfa), fish oil. It is also useful to add fish or meat and bone meal, chalk, vitamin and mineral complexes to the diet.
Classification of eye diseases in rabbits
Eye diseases in rabbits are conditionally divided into congenital, acquired (infectious and inflammatory, as well as resulting from injuries. Abscesses and tumors are distinguished separately. The cause of these neoplasms is not fully understood. Usually, cells from the affected area are taken for analysis. After identifying the causative agent, symptomatic treatment In the case of an unknown etiology, the eyeball is often simply removed.
What diseases are congenital
Congenital diseases are pathologies that arose during the process of the formation of the fetus at the genetic level, and the rabbit was born with them.
The most common congenital diseases
- Cloudiness, or cataract, is an eye disease in which a cloudy film covers the eye partially or completely. Congenital defect. Sometimes it can be a consequence of bacterial damage to conjunctivitis, a complication of encephalozoonosis, or rarely occurs against the background of increased blood sugar. Symptoms: cloudy eyeballs, serous discharge from them, swelling, white nodules. In the case of the mature form, the entire lens is clouded, in the case of the hypermature, the lens is deformed. Treatment is cataract surgery.
- Glaucoma. Congenital goniodysgenesis or increased intraocular pressure, (approximately from the third month of life). Symptoms: bulging eyes, keratitis, heterogeneity of the lens and narrowing of retinal vessels. Treatment – removal of the eyeball.
- Corneal occlusion. It has not been studied to the end. Symptom: corneas are covered with connective tissue. With early diagnosis – surgical removal of abnormal tissue, with an advanced course – removal of the entire eye.
It is almost impossible to influence the occurrence of genetic abnormalities. For prevention, it is recommended to select for breeding healthy rabbits without defects, to properly feed sucrol females, to keep the rabbitry clean.
What diseases are acquired
Acquired diseases are pathologies that appeared after birth, as a result of damage to animals by bacteria, viruses, parasites, during improper feeding, as a result of injuries or under improper conditions of keeping.
The most common chronic diseases
| The name of the disease | Reason | Main symptoms | Treatment | Prevention |
| Conjunctivitis | Allergy, injuries, vitamin deficiency, infections. | The eyes of the rabbit turn red, swelling of the eyelids, discharge from the eyes, fear of light appear. The animal combs its face, shakes its head, eats poorly. | Washing the eyes with antiseptics, removing crusts, pus. Instillation of anti-inflammatory drops. Antihistamines are given for allergies. In severe cases, antibiotics and glucocorticoids are used. | Proper nutrition enriched with vitamins and minerals, cleanliness, timely isolation of sick individuals. |
| Keratitis | Excessive dryness of the eyes, infectious lesions, injuries, consequences of untreated conjunctivitis. | Swollen eyelids, redness and tearing, purulent discharge, the cornea becomes rough, photophobia. In case of complications – an ulcer, the appearance of swelling in the eye. | Antibiotics (cephalosporins) in the form of ointments (placed behind the eyelids) or drops (instilled). When transitioning to an ulcerative state, surgical intervention is required. Special eye drops (Barrier, Gentaline, Gentafarm) are used to restore the damaged cornea. | So that such an eye disease does not affect the rabbit, it is necessary to constantly examine the animal, monitor its hygiene, and prevent injuries. |
| Exophthalmos | Abscess, abnormal development of teeth. | The animal cannot close the eyes, which protrude strongly outwards. Strongly dried mucous, cloudy cornea. | Removal of the affected eye. | Examination of the animal for the presence of an abnormal bite. Help with teeth grinding. |
| Dacryocystitis | Improper development and growth of teeth (such an anomaly can be transmitted genetically), a consequence of past pasteurellosis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis. | Obstruction of tear fluid, discharge of purulent-serous secretion from the eyes, swelling, narrowing or complete adhesion of the eyelids. | Permanent eye hygiene with extraction of liquid from the lacrimal canal. Instillation of antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs. In case of an infected form – antibiotic therapy. | Elimination of the cause that caused the pathology (removal of problem teeth, treatment of concomitant diseases). Keeping the animal clean. |
| Corneal ulcer | Infections, injuries. | Formation of a film on the mucous membrane, spasm of the eyelid muscles, excessive lacrimation. If not treated, the eye may “leak” completely. | Surgical removal of affected tissues with extraction of pus. After surgery – antibiotics. | Favorable conditions of maintenance. |
| Uveitis | Helminths, infection, trauma. | Lacrimation, the appearance of a white film, swelling, reduction of the pupil, adhesions of the blood vessels of the eye, dry mucous membrane, photophobia. | Antibacterial and steroid therapy. | Keeping animals clean, timely deworming. |
| Myxomatosis | Virus of the genus Leporipoxvirus (carriers – fleas, mosquitoes). | In the form of edema: swelling of the eyes, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, the appearance of peculiar bumps near the eyes. With the nodular form: nodular growths all over the body, conjunctivitis, rhinitis. | There is no specific treatment. | Timely vaccination. Disinfection. |
| Epiphora | The disease is a complication of a runny nose, conjunctivitis, and dental abnormalities. | Tearing, swelling, suppuration is possible. | Washing the affected eye, drops with an antibiotic. | Preventive examination of animals, timely treatment of other pathologies. |
| Blepharitis is an inflammatory process in the eyelash area | Mainly mechanical injuries, as well as metabolic disorders, hypovitaminosis, skin inflammatory processes, the result of genetic pathologies. | Redness of the eyelids, swelling, thickening of the eyelid, loss of eyelashes, suppuration up to the appearance of ulcers. | Washing eyes with soda solution, antibiotic therapy. | Rational nutrition, periodic inspection of animals. |
| Entropy of the eyelids (vertigo) | Investigation of keratitis and conjunctivitis; congenital defect. | Frequent blinking, dryness of the mucous membrane. | Surgical plastic surgery of the folded eyelid. | Periodic examination to identify defects, timely treatment of other diseases that cause eyelid twitching. |
| Ectropion (inverted eyelids). | Old age, stretching of the eye muscles or their paralysis, improper functioning of the thyroid gland. | Exposure of the cornea, separation of the eyelid from the eye. | Plastic surgery. | Monthly review. |
Eye injuries
Eared animals can injure themselves on the sharp edges of feeders or when fighting with their relatives. Eye irritation with ammonia, which is released in large quantities from feces (especially if rabbits are kept in poorly ventilated rooms), is not uncommon. Sometimes dust and the point of straw can also cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, scratches of the cornea.
Animals comb their faces and eyes, from which secretions may flow. If you do not help the rabbit in time, then the wounded area can easily become infected, and the disease will proceed with serious complications.
Damaged eyes should be washed with antiseptics, and anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory drops should be prescribed from medicines.
Treatment of eye diseases in rabbits
You should not treat eye diseases in rabbits yourself. Only a qualified specialist can recognize the cause of the eye disease and recommend the correct treatment. Medical care – isolating the sick animal in quarantine, washing the eyes with antiseptic solutions. Further treatment is carried out according to the instructions of the veterinarian.
How to wash a rabbit’s eyes
Various antiseptic solutions are used to wash the eyeballs of animals:
- Sterile NaCl0.9% solution.
- Furacilin solution in a dilution of 1: 5000.
- 2% solution of boric acid.
- Chlorhexidine 0.01%.
- A solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) in a dilution of 1: 5000.
- Herbal decoction of chamomile, calendula, sage.
- Well brewed tea.
- Ordinary boiled water.
If the eyes of rabbits stick together from crusts and pus, first of all carefully soak the crusts with one of the above solutions, and only then wash the cleaned eyes again.
How to prepare eye antiseptic solution yourself
A solution of chlorhexidine is considered the best for washing the eyes. This agent is not only an excellent antiseptic, but also has high bactericidal activity. To obtain the desired 0.01% concentration, add 16 ml of physiological saline to 4 ml of 0.05% pharmacy solution of chlorhexidine. Cotton wool is soaked in the prepared solution and the processing procedure is carried out.
Antibacterial eye ointments for the treatment of rabbits
In veterinary practice, it is customary to use many antibiotic ointments for the treatment of rabbit eyes. They are placed behind the eyelid of the affected eye. Such means are very effective, act quickly, are easy to use and are always available for sale.
Antibiotics in the treatment of purulent processes in the eyes of rabbits
It happens that it is not possible to prevent complications of the disease in time. Erosions and ulcers may appear on the inflamed areas of the rabbit’s eyes, which begin to rot after the addition of a bacterial infection.
With such symptoms, it is not recommended to apply ointments, because they block the outflow of pus, and can only worsen the situation. In this case, it is more rational to use eye drops with antibiotics or make injections (benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, gentamicin are used).
Prevention of eye diseases in rabbits
Even a novice rabbit breeder should always remember that the best treatment of a disease is its prevention – prevention. Most eye diseases in rabbits are also easy to avoid if you follow simple rules.
To prevent eye disease, it is recommended:
- Eliminate drafts in places where the rabbit is localized.
- Protect animals from inhaling aggressive chemicals.
- Ventilate the room where the cages are placed.
- Clean the cages 2 times a day.
- Regularly disinfect rabbit housing, care equipment.
- Organize a complete diet that will fully meet the needs of the rabbits.
- Exclude allergens from the diet.
- Independently conduct a preventive inspection of animals on the farm every month, and a specialized examination by a veterinarian every quarter.
- Vaccinate rabbits in a timely manner.
- Every six months – deworming, disinsection, deratization.
- Quarantine keeping of new individuals, isolation of animals suspected of infection.
- Rabbits and other types of animals are not allowed.
Rabbits raised with love and care will surely please their owners.