Ah, I don’t know what to do!

[DallasDelight]

I was watching Dallas and then he looked up at me when I called his name and I realized his left eye looked…….wrong. I got down on his level and I think it is his Sclera that is swollen and red. it looks almost veiny(?) and agitated. I am not too sure how to explain it. What could cause this? At first I thought maybe he was allergic to something in my room, but his right eye is totally fine and clear. Could he have poked it himself while cleaning himself? or gotten something in it? Should I to take him to the vet tomorrow, or just wait and watch?
Oh yeah, he is eating and drinking and hopping around basically like normal. Only thing different I have noticed is he doesn’t have the same amount of psychoness as usual, his breathing seems faster than normal, and when he lays down he looks slightly uncomfortable. I haven’t seen him sleep in a while and I can’t tell if he has pottied. I’ll go clean ALL little bun pellets ASAP so I know if he has.
Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable or help with the swelling..?

I’m worried! It’s probably nothing big, but I can’t help but be nervous. I haven’t had any medical issues with him and I hate the thought of him being in any pain.

[Deleted User]

He may have gotten something in his eye. I usually take a sterile gauze and wipe with warm water as a starter treatment. A trip to the vet would rule out infection. (((((healing vibes for Dallas)))))

[Beka27]

if he seems uncomfortable i would take him in and see what the vet thinks. i don’t know much about rabbit vision, but i know eye problems can lead to blindness. in this case i think it’s better safe than sorry.

have you determined if he’s pooping and eating?

[LittlePuffyTail]

It’s my opinion with rabbits that it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Seemingly small things can escalate quickly sometimes. I would definetly take him to the vet because from what you describe he seems uncomftorable. Even if it’s just for peace of mind for yourself, it’s probably a good idea.

[Sarita]

Just because he is eating and pooping doesn’t necessarily mean he is not uncomfortable. If you have concerns about his eye then you should take him in.

[DallasDelight]

Thank you for your replies! Sorry I didn’t reply last night, some local contruction guys hit a cable that knocked out city for the whole town…
The swelling has gone down a lot, now it’s only noticeable if you pull back his eyelid a bit. Lots of weird gunky stuff keeps forming in his eye from apparently nowhere, and he gets upset when that happens but he lets me wipe it away with a warm washcloth and then he’s is almost totally back to himself after that. He IS eating, drinking, pooping,etc. but I think he’s still kind of uncomfortable. His breating is normal though. The only different thing I’ve noticed today is this evening he keeps hiding in the dark away from all noise/people/pets, which I have to think can’t be a great sign. Of course it is also pretty hot, in the 80s, and since I am on the 2nd story of the house is is hotter up here then downstairs, even with the central AC..grr.

I told my mom we need to take him to the vet, but that is the unfortunate thing about being 16 years old without a drivers license, I have to rely on my not-so-rabbit-savvy parents.  My mom said if I think he needs to go then we should take him, but of course today is a weekday, we only currently have one car(sold all others to move to texas) and with my dad being at work, there is no car even available for us to take him with. I can’t wait to get my license and a car so this type of thing doesn’t happen again!!
Anybody have any tips of how I can keep him staying comfortable until tomorrow? Should I let him hide, or encourage him to stay out? It is very quiet in my room now, I don’t want to disturb him, so all lights and sounds(tv, stereo,etc.) are off. He still really, really wants to hide, he’s currently trying to find his way over a plastic tote to get into the corner..

[Deleted User]

His eyes might be sensitive to the light. Typical of eye injuries or infections in people, so I am assuming it would be the same for buns. Keep the area he wants to hide in clean and dust free. Continue to clean the eye as needed. That should do until tomorrow.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

^^ That’s what I was thinking, if he’s not seeing very well he may want to hide! Good that your parents are taking him in though-some are harder to convince! Just keep a very watchful eye on him {{ VIBES }}

[DallasDelight]

We took him to the vet a few hours ago, good news! Vet said he thinks Dallas just got something in his eye that he couldn’t get out for a while, which irritated the eye a lot and caused the swollen sclera and gunky stuff. He gave me some eye drops to put in his eye once a day until it clears, and if the gunk appears, just have him close his eye and rub it with a warm washcloth until it slides out. I LOVE the vet, it was my first time meeting and talking with him and he is GREAT. Seems very knowledgeable about rabbits and really cares about them..he made sure to keep Dallas in his comfort zone instead of forcing stuff onto him(it was Dallas’ first vet trip). I’m so glad he’ll be okay, he is already much more comfortable and happy.
Thank you all very much for your help, you are all the best!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

That’s great news!! You must feel so relieved!

[Beka27]

oh good! feel better Dallas! that’s awesome you found a good vet. they’re invaluable to have.

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