Vision

FORUM

What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 5sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 1 month ago by earthisours.

Viewing 5 reply threads

Author

Messages
- 02/15/2009 at 12:27 AM
  earthisours
  Participant
  129 posts
  Hi there,
  
  I was wondering if there was any way to ‘test’ a bunny’s vision? To see if they’re blind or whatnot?
  
  My sister tends to see one of my rabbits more, as he mostly stays in her room, and she’s told me that he seems a little different these past few months. I’ve mostly been worrying about his teeth and diet, and hadn’t really noticed much difference, plus been busy with schooling and work. But anyways, she says he seems a lot more skittish lately, and all and all, she thinks he’s lost his vision a little. She said that before, when she used to give him treats, he’d come to where her hand is placed, with the treat, even if we shake his box somewhere else (he’s trained to know that he gets treats when we shake the container we put their treats in), but now, he only goes to where he hears the box. Especially noticable if one of us offer his treat really close by, but someone shakes the box further away, he’ll go towards the box. And sometimes miss too, he’ll be a little far before he notices and comes closer. Other things too, noises that come with moment normally didn’t scare him, but now they do, even if he can see what’s causing it.
  
  My sister also has this big box under his desk that he used to climb to all the time, but doesn’t anymore. I always thought maybe he just got bored of it, but could it be that he can’t really judge how high to jump, so he doesn’t anymore? (It’s pretty tall)
  
  Is he just… I dunno. Or could it be related to his vision? Is there something I can do to check?
  
  >.> I love this bunny, but he’s just full of issues, my little darling. >.< At least the worst my other bunny does is eat my novel's cover or kill my headphones, hehe.
- 02/15/2009 at 9:47 AM
  bunnytowne
  Participant
  7538 posts
  Hmm I don’t really know of any reliable home test. You could try waving your hand around his face and his eyes to see if he responds. Best thing would be take him to a vet they would know how to tell better than I.
  
  You could try putting your finger close to his eye to see if he responds. Even though he may not respond it doesnt’ necessarily mean he is sight impaired.
  
  Does he have a white film or any speck of white on the colored part of his eye? That would mean a problem with his eye sight.
  
  You other bunny chewing your novels lol.. yeah mine does that. He about chewd the whole cover off b4 I noticed. Sounds like he is healthy.
- 02/15/2009 at 1:34 PM
  earthisours
  Participant
  129 posts
  No, his eye is completely clear. I think his bottom tooth might be growing out, so I’ll ask the vet about the vision thing too when I take him.
- 02/15/2009 at 4:19 PM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  It can be hard to judge at home, but you could try dropping cotton balls by the bunny to see if he reacts. The cotton ball should not make any noise or have any smell to cause a reaction other than visual.
  
  My Minilop Cotton seems to have not great vision, she has a face more like Holland Lop- very short nosed and she “startles” more easily than the others buns and is ready to lunge and growl. My other 2 bunnies another MiniLop and a Holland Lop do not have as short a nose, but are not as “diva” like either. So I am not sure if it is Cotton’s vision or just the fact that she thinks she rules the house that causes her reactions sometimes.
- 02/16/2009 at 1:05 AM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  Is he a red-eyed-white? Apparently sun can damage their vision-so that could explain the loss of vision and change in habits.
  
  To test vision, grab a flashlight, and put your bunny in a dark room-turn the light on and flash in their eyes-if the pupil dialiates-(gets smaller) when you put the light in their eyes they can respond to light-this does not mean they can see, but does mean they can detect ligtht. If they don’t respond to the light they are completely blind.
  Now, once they did respond to the light you can try testing vision by offering something that doesn’t smell in front of their face like a toy, or using your hand to see if they respond.
  
  Keep us posted!
- 02/16/2009 at 8:26 PM
  earthisours
  Participant
  129 posts
  No, he’s not a red-eyed white.
  
  Hm, those are good ideas. I’m gonna try those tomorrow and I’ll post with what happens. Just today he nearly crashed into his willow tent when he was hopping towards me for a treat.
Author

Messages

Viewing 5 reply threads

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.