Bindi’s going blind -Now treating for EC

[LittlePuffyTail]

Pretty upset. Bindi’s left eye has started to completely cloud over. I’ve noticed lately he seemed a bit off when hopping around. Last weekend, my husband said he ran into a table leg. And yesterday, he ran right into my sleeping cat. 

We have a vet apt. tomorrow to get him checked out as well as his ears are currently being stubborn with an infection. Will probably have to get another culture done. And he has a dental booked for next Thursday so I’m getting the pre-anaesthetic bloodwork done tomorrow since my vet now sends out all the rabbit bloodwork to an outside lab, it takes a while to get the results. I’m honestly afraid of what his blood work is gonna say.   He hasn’t had it done in a while and I’m just really worried about my poor little man lately. 

Vibes appreciated. 

[ThorBunny]

((((Bindi)))) Feel better sweet little man!

[Wick & Fable]

Vibes!! All the vibes!!!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[jerseygirl]

Oh, Hello Bindi !

LPT, I know the feeling. Sending (((hugs))) your way. Hopefully the changes in his eye are just age related and he’ll adjust shortly.

[Gina.Jenny]

((((Bindi))))

[Bam]

((((Bindi-Loo)))))

[Sirius&Luna]

((((Bindi))))

[Vienna Blue in France]

The biggest Bindi hug in the woooooooooooorld ((((((((. HUG ))))))))

[tobyluv]

Vibes for sweet Bindi!

[Wick & Fable]

Instagram users send their love!

http://www.instagram.com/p/BbS2YzvlCuP/

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[FluffyBunny]

They can do very well being blind. My Ms. Rabbit went blind due to an EC flareup when she was 5 years old. She wasn’t quite as daring after that, but she still got around just fine. They’re amazingly adaptable little creatures. I tried to keep her habitat free of things she could trip on, sharp things, etc., since she had a tendency to run into things fast. Keeping the litterbox and food in the same spot also helped her.

[LBJ10]

Poor Bindi pie.

Would some eye drops help?

[Luna]

Luna sends hugs and vibes ((((Bindi))))

[Q8bunny]

Made it on here! Wanted to send you hugs, and my favourite little scruffy bear heaps and heaps of vibes. The other posters are right: bunnies can be such adaptable creatures (as you well know) and your sweet boy is already faring so well despite frequent vet visits. ((((((Bindi))))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thank you everyone for the love and well wishes for Bindi. And sorry I did not update till now. 

Update on Bindi’s vet visit yesterday. Did not get the news I was expecting. His ears are mega infected….4+ bacteria which the vet says is “off the charts”, even for him. Sent a culture for testing but probably won’t get the results till next Friday. She was quite concerned about his eye. It’s not age related cloudiness, which would have been the best scenario. There is inflammation and fluid behind the eye. She said it could just be some sort of infection, possibly related to the ears, and put him on Metacam and eye drops 4x a day. However, she said, at his age, she needs to mention that it could be cancer. Unfortunately, there is no test to confirm. I’m just trying to be positive and hope the drops help and we can get the eye and his ears cleared up soon. Good news is that he did gain a tiny bit of weight.

[Bam]

Oh, Bindi-love ?Get better with the eye drops, sweet boy!

[LBJ10]

Oh LPT, that isn’t good. I hope you can get the infection under control.

Bindi, you can do this!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks. I’m super worried about cancer, obviously. That’s scary, of course. But also very concerned about the possibility of infection related to the ears. Bindi has had ear infections for many years. They have never caused any other issues. I’m so scared he gets head tilt or it spreads. He’s had suspected EC in the past so maybe that’s somehow related?

If it is infection related to the ears, then I feel really guilty. And will continue to feel guilty unless it gets better. I feel like I tried the Baytril too long before contacting the vet again. I should have brought him in sooner for a culture. I was awake most of last night, just feeling awful about this.

[BinkyBunny]

I am so sorry to hear this.  I understand your concerns and even self-scolding of “should’ve”.  But due to his chronic issues, how were you really to know?  You have dealt with his ongoing issue that even if it may have seemed a little different, I would have tried the normal go-to options first too. That way you wouldn’t have to stress him even more by bringing him to the vet if it worked. So don’t be hard on yourself.  

I am very much like you that with all the things that the vet mentioned that could be the culprit, the worst option will stick and worry the jeepers out of me.  And really, that is what most of us would do. I’m so sorry as it’s not easy to deal with all the what ifs. 

Thankfully, it sounds like your vet is really on it.  You are so fortunate to have that kind of expertise.   In the meantime, Bindi is loved, safe and secure, regardless of the ailment.  Take a deep breath, and just try to take it day by day and take what comes at the time. 

Hugs to you and head scratches and healing vibes to Bindi. 

Edited to add:  I also understand it can be hard to watch our bunnies go blind.  They seem to adapt amazingly well though.
 Vivian lost her eyesight, but those bunny whiskers are helpful with navigation. I believe it is harder on us to watch as they figure it all out. Vivian was a senior when she lost her eyesight, but her bunny mind was still sharp and she figured things out quickly.  I just made sure to keep everything the same and she became confident in her space.  It will be okay.  

[Q8bunny]

Oh, bugger! I do hope the antibiotics do their thing
Hugs to you… I know how worried you must be. And vibes for your teddy bear (((((((((Bindi Loo)))))))))

[Azerane]

Aww, poor Bindi. I’m sorry to hear that he’s having so many issues. You do take such good care of him though and he’s so lucky to have you looking after him

(((Bindi)))

[Bam]

He really is so extremely lucky to have you, LPT, so don’t you dare feeling guilty even for a split sec. Or Bam will come and shake you!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, everyone.

I do know he is lucky to have me. Some people probably would have given up on him a long time ago. He’s had so many problems but his vet and Mama always nursed him back. I’m also lucky to have him.

I’m pretty dedicated to all my babies. I’ve been getting up in the middle of the night to put drops in his eye since it’s supposed to be every 6 hours.

BB- Yeah, I know. Bunnies are so great at adapting to new situations like this. I would have been able to deal with him going blind, especially if it was only one eye. Hard to watch, for sure.

[jerseygirl]

I ditto the sentiments about guilt. It’s unwarranted. As you know, infections can be super stubborn, so doing the baytril for a long time would have been necessary. It may have kept secondary infections at bay also, even if wasn’t affective for the main infection.
Sorry to hear about the broken nights. That wouldn’t help the ol’ stress levels.
Sending much love to the Bear. {{{{{Bindi-Loo}}}}}

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, Jersey.

Still waiting results. Hopefully, we will hear tomorrow. I wish I would have taken a clear pic of his left eye before the drops started because I think it looks a bit better but can’t say for sure. My husband thinks it looks about the same.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Just wanted to update that there is nothing to update. Still impatiently waiting for his ear results. The vet was hoping the results would be in last Friday but still waiting. Makes me feel horrible to know his ears are badly infected and not being treated. I’m currently putting drops in them of a solution that may help keep it from getting worse. Its’ more of a medicated cleaner.

And his eye is no better.

Thankfully, he is doing well, otherwise. This little man is such a trooper. He eats and poops and hops around like nothing is wrong. A bit less active maybe but overall well. But I know his ears are bothering him. He gets upset when I put the drops in which is a new behaviour.

[Bam]

He really is a strong and brave little one! How frustrating that you haven’t got the results yet =( The drops could change the pH locally inside the outher ear though and make the environment less cozy for bacteria so their evil work is slowed down.

[LittlePuffyTail]

So, results are in. 2 diff types of bacteria in his ear. I didn’t ask what they are specifically. They had to special order in something bunny safe that will kill both types of bacteria. Hopefully, it will be in Monday and we can start treatment. His eye is the same.

[Bam]

Poor sweet baby, at least now you know how to best attack it. (((((Bindi)))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Got B’s drops today. They are called Gentamicin 0.3%. Must be pretty potent stuff. The tech told me there have been known side effects of deafness in dogs. Well, Bindi is at least mostly deaf, anyways. So drops once a day for 7 days and then re-check in 9-12 days.

[Luna]

Is he still getting eye drops too? Hopefully the ear drops will additionally help it improve. ((((Bindi))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks. Yes, still on the eye drops.

[LittlePuffyTail]

My friend came over to give Bindi a Reiki treatment today. 

[LittlePuffyTail]

Not sure if this is a positive thing or not, but since the antibiotics for B’s eye have not improved it, my vet thinks it might actually be E. Cuniculli again. He had got head tilt about 4 or 5 years back but recovered after immediate treatment. Maybe this ear infection really wore down his immune system. Started the Fenbendazole today and recheck next Thursday. I did some research and his eye looks very much like it could be EC. I’m upset we didn’t think of it before because the earlier treatment has a better prognosis. If he’s stuck with one blind eye, he will be okay, he’s adjusting, I just don’t want things to get worse.

[Vienna Blue in France]

(((((( Bindi Loooooooooooo ))))))

[Bam]

(((((Bindi-Loo)))))

Looks like he doesn’t mind the Reiki!

[LittlePuffyTail]

No, I think he finds it relaxing.

[Luna]

Good idea with the Reiki treatment! I know it has helped him in the past. I hope he kicks EC in the butt and gets better soon! ((((Bindi))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, Luna.

We have a vet apt. tomorrow. Hoping that at least his ears are cleared up and that his eye hasn’t gotten worse. Have another concern now, though. The last few days, his back legs seem wobbly. Like when I pick him up and put him down. He has a hard time getting his balance.

[Luna]

I’m sorry LPT . And don’t be upset that you didn’t think of EC as a possibility – it was 4-5 years ago when he had head tilt, and there was no head tilt this time so you couldn’t be expected to think EC right away. Maybe the infection just got deeper into the ear than usual and it is throwing off his balance? Let’s just hope that his ears will start clearing up and that it will simultaneously eliminate this new balance issue.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Pretty upset about Bindi’s vet visit. While his ears are improved somewhat, his eye has gotten worse. We’re going to continue the Fenbendazole treatment, as it’s only been 7 days, but my vet is pretty convinced it’s cancer and not E.C. She says it’s rare and unlikely for him to have recovered from EC 4 or 5 years ago, have no symptoms that entire time and then have it flare up again. Going to look into him seeing the eye specialist. I feel like I might have to make a very difficult decision soon. Feeling pretty sad.

[Boston's Mama]

Boston’s almost blind from his EC , that’s totally live-withable but I hear you if it’s cancer that that would bring about decisions
I feel for you going through all this and for Bindi Bear – Boston and I send our love and support

[Luna]

Lots of hugs to ((((you)))) and ((((Bindi)))).

[jerseygirl]

{{{{{Bindi}}}}}
LPT, is it just the pupil that’s clouded over or the whole eye? Or is he having changes mostly in the iris?

[Bam]

(((((Bindi-Loo)))))

Our favorite little boy.

[Sirius&Luna]

<3 hope you get good news from the specialist.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, guys.

JG, It’s cloudy all over but seems worse right over the iris. I will try to get a pic. But it’s hard, he always closes it when I go close to look at it.

[Vienna Blue in France]

(((((((. Bindi-Loooooooooo )))))))

I reckon Bindi will tell you if he’s suffering, like slowing down or stopping eating…

You have such a wonderful relationship… and its so, so hard. You will know sweetie. You will.

((( hugs )))

[LittlePuffyTail]

I hope I will know……Right now he’s acting pretty normal, just a bit tired maybe. The vet said she is unsure whether his eye is causing him pain or not right now.

My boy Stormy had cancer and he ate ravenously right to the end. That really made the decision harder.

Thank you, Vienna.

[Dface]

Oh LPT I’m so sorry you guys are going through this, it must be so stressful and obviously upsetting.
((((Bindi))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Just an update about Bindi. He is the same.

With the 100% support of my vet, I’ve made the difficult decision to not see the eye specialist. If it is cancer, all I can do is palliative care and if it’s something that would require removing the eye, I’ve already decided I won’t be putting him through that. I honestly don’t think he would survive with his current weakness and low weight. He’s been through so much and is such a little fighter but I really feel he is tired. My Reiki friend told me she felt the same when giving him his treatment. I want him to have as little stress as possible and the eye exam alone would be 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

We are still doing the EC treatment of Fenbendazole and Metacam and hoping for the best.

[pinknfwuffy]

I’m so sorry to hear about Bindi. You certainly have his best interests in mind and know him the best. All of your decisions seem to be in sync with what he can, or can’t, handle right now and we all support your plan of treatment. Wishing you both lots of healing vibes and hopeful hearts. Big hugs, Bindi Bear.

[Luna]

Posted By pinknfwuffy on 12/17/2017 7:34 PM

I’m so sorry to hear about Bindi. You certainly have his best interests in mind and know him the best. All of your decisions seem to be in sync with what he can, or can’t, handle right now and we all support your plan of treatment. Wishing you both lots of healing vibes and hopeful hearts. Big hugs, Bindi Bear.

Pink said it all spot on! Sending many hugs and vibes ((((Bindi)))).

[Q8bunny]

Oh, LPT, I’m so sorry, hun. You and Bindi have one of the most remarkable bonds I’ve come across here on BB… you have always been so in tune with his needs and have taken such good care of him. No one knows him as well as you do, so follow his signals and your heart wherever they lead you. We are sending our love and good vibes for as much comfort as possible to my favourite little old man bun. Hugs to you, because I know you’re worried and hurting, and some pets and rubs to the Pooh bear. (((((((((Bindi Loo)))))))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks Pink, Luna and Q8. The support is very helpful. My BB family is just the best.

I’m going to message the vet later today and see what our next step is. I need to count on the calendar how many days he’s been on the Fenbendazole and it’s been over 7 days since his ear drops are done. Not sure if she’ll want to see him or not.

[LittlePuffyTail]

So, Bindi just finished his Fenbendazole yesterday. No improvement at all. His eye is still completely clouded over. He seems to be doing well otherwise, though.

[Luna]

. Well at least it doesn’t seem to be bothering him so that’s good. Are his legs more steady now too?

[CinnamonPearl]

Aw, just wanted to say I’m sorry Bindi isn’t feeling well! I really hope he sees some improvement soon.

[Q8bunny]

Overall health is what’s key, so this is good to hear. I do wonder if it isn’t just a cataract… Either way, continued love from us ((((((Bindi))))))

[Rain]

((((((Vibes))))) Lots of hugs and love for Bindi!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, guys. I really don’t think it’s a cataract. I really don’t know much about eyes but from the pictures I’ve seen, that’s not what it looks like. I’ve tried to get a picture but it’s really hard to capture what I’m looking at. He has kind of weird eyes to begin with, sort of a light blue/pink mix.

I haven’t noticed the wobbliness as much, so it’s definitely not gotten worse, which is good.

He’s still doing okay so we’re just keeping on keeping on. He’s still on the Metacam. I’m gonna contact my vet after the Holidays and see if she wants to see him soon.

[Bam]

I’m glad to hear the wobbliness haven’t gotten worse. I saw in the Lounge that he had a lovely Christmas ?I hope he’s having an equally great New Years Eve!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, Bam. He’s sitting here with me while I do BB with one hand and pet him with the other. That’s about as exciting as our New Year’s Eve is gonna get. I’m sure we’ll both be sound asleep before Midnight.

[Rain]

I will definitely send up some fireworks for the little guy!!! Wish you both a Happy New Year!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, Rain. Happy (and Hoppy) New Year to you as well.

[jerseygirl]

I bet he’s glad to be done with the panacur!

LPT, his left eye is showing in the pic in Dec photo thread. Has your vet got the tool to for glaucoma?

 I tried look up what that might look like in a REW eye and found only this image. 

 source:http://www.vetstream.com/treat/lapis/freeform/eye-glaucoma

So, it’s not really too different from this condition in a more pigmented eye really. 

[LittlePuffyTail]

hmmm….that pic is not that far off. I will talk to my vet soon about the possibility of glaucoma but I’m pretty sure she said it was not anything age-related. She’s not an eye expert but I assume a normal vet could detect glaucoma?

He was a good boy with the Panacur. He’s always such a good boy.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Very much believe Bindi is blind, or at least mostly blind, in both eyes now. The right eye is looking glassy and cloudy as well and he’s really acting like he has no vision. When I put his food bowls down it takes him a lot of sniff time to find it. And when he’s out, he seems to have a hard time finding the exact spot of his hay and potty box.

Gonna talk to my vet but this makes me believe it is something age related. He still seems happy enough and since it’s been gradual, he’s obviously become accustomed to the vision loss.

[Luna]

He is such a strong and tough bun! Even if he loses all of his vision, we know he has a great mom to help him through it . I know there are some extra low entry litter boxes online for disabled buns – it might help him find his way into his litter box easier if he has one without a side to hop over into it.

[Vienna Blue in France]

LPT. That could explain his initial reaction aggression towards Sterling if he could only smell him and not seeing very much….

[Q8bunny]

Darling honey bun… as long as he’s still happy, he’ll manage with a little help from his family (((Bindi))) Nose rubs from us.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, guys.

He def knows the house well enough to be able to hope around during his out-time. I need to make sure there are not toys or pillows or anything in his usual path. And he amazes me how he can still zoom up and down all the levels of his condo.

Going to send an e-mail to my vet this weekend and see what she has to say. My only concern is I don’t want him to be in any pain from his eyes. We are doing the Metacam daily and he seems pretty happy but we all know how bunnies are.

[Bam]

Darling Bindi. It does sound like he’s happy. That’s so great ?Btw, buns don’t have to be old to have glaucoma. It can be hereditary.

I found this old thread about BB’s Vivian who had glaucoma:
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/124334/Default.aspx

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks for posting, Bam. I was gonna ask BB about that so thanks for saving me the trouble.

Bindi has been sleeping more than normal today. That makes me sad.

[Rain]

Oh no! Is he still eating and pooping like normal? I do hope he gets better LPT! Aw, feel better Bindi.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks. Yes, he’s still eating well and pooping. Enjoying treats and exploring a bit. But now I have a new concern. The past few days, he’s started sneezing a lot and last night I noticed a little bit of white discharge. Now I’m conflicted. Should I treat whatever this may be or just leave him be. I don’t want his remaining time to be stressful and back and forth to the vet.

I e-mailed my vet about his right eye now looking like the left ,her response was:

I’m sorry to hear that. You have to keep assessing his quality of life: what are the things Bindi enjoyed most during his life? Certain treats? Playtime outside his enclosure? Snuggles? Then ask yourself if he is still enjoying those same things?

When the list of things he no longer can enjoy is longer than the things he does enjoy- then that’s not the life he deserves. I so wish there was more I could do to help.

I just responded telling her about the sneezing and discharge.

This is so hard.

[Sirius&Luna]

I’m sorry you’re having to make such tough decisions poor little guy.

Does he seem distressed at all by the sneezing/discharge? If its not bothering him I would probably avoid adding extra medicines.

[Luna]

I’m sorry LPT, I don’t know what to say other than I agree with you that I would try to avoid a stressful vet visit. I’m sure Bindi just wants to spend some time with you right now . Luna and I send hugs and vibes, and hopefully that runny nose will go away! ((((Bindi))))

[Gordo and Janice]

(((Bindi)))

His white scruffy fur on his face reminds me of Icey. Sorry here too that your making tough decisions. We actively watched every day all day asking ourselves, “Now? Does she still want to be here?” There were a couple of instances we thought it was time, but then she would eat some kale and come out for some snuggly pets, albeit a wobbly excursion.

We didn’t want to have her last experience be one in a sterile cold environment of the doctor’s office getting handled and gassed and all the things that go with euthanasia unless we were sure. Being sure was hard. We kept going with what everyone here told us, 1. Eating, 2. Giving and/or wanting to receive affection, and 3. Interest in her environment.

Number 3 was gone but the other 2 remained until the end.

I remember (a few tears here) that last morning when she was getting love rubs and pets, she gave just a few little tongue kisses on my thumb pad. Not fervent licks but little tongue touches because she was so weak.

I agree with limiting stressful vet visits. We did what we thought was best for her in taking her in and having her teeth filed to give her the best chance at resuming her hay and grass consumption but in the end looking back, she was never the same after that last visit. We very well could have sped up her demise. It’s a tough balance with tough decisions. I empathize.

(((Hugs)))

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Very sorry to hear that his condition is worsening
I have the utmost respect for the way you handle it, taking his best interests into account. Hopefully the vet will be able to give you sound advice about what to treat and what not to treat. Wishing you all the best!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thank you everyone.

Gordo and Janice, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your Icey. And sorry I haven’t made it to your RB thread yet. Thank you very much for sharing your experience with me.

It is so truly hard. I’ve been here before, a few years back, with my little Stormy who had suspected GI cancer. I thought I was doing my best, but realized too late I was really hoping for a miracle and will never forgive myself for keeping him with me too long.

Bindi means so much to me, as I’m sure you all know. We’ve been through so much together. He’s had so many health problems but he’s always pulled through and he’s the bunny I’ve had the longest.

My vet responded that she suggests I “treat the treatable” so we are starting him on Oral Baytril. Hope that clears us the sneezing and discharge.

[Q8bunny]

Oh, Bindi… I do hope the Baytril helps clear up his wee nose. (((((((((Bindi Loo)))))))))

[BB Administrator]

I just wrote out a long thing and somehow my net service went down – erased the whole thing. Head hits desk. Will just try to get this out concisely.

Did the vet respond about glaucoma being the possibility? I am sorry if I missed that answer — IF NOT — then it may be worth asking for a test.

Vivian had glaucoma. While she did have natural clouding of the eyes as she aged, the glaucoma moved her lenses which made them almost solid white — looked like cataracts. This is a painful condition that can make the eyes water (vet said it probably feels like a bad sinus headache – figuring that is what humans with glaucoma may experience). Anyway, also with chronic pain, I figure that can contribute to other health issues if the immune system become comprised due to the pain. Vivian got tested (easy painless test). Once diagnosed she was given drops that help reduce the pressure. That helped a lot! She did have to change drops as one stopped working as well). She was blind due to this, but she found her way around just fine. Thank goodness for whiskers (cuz she was losing her hearing too as she progressed into Senior Senior status. Could this be what may be happening with Bindi?

Helloworld!!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks so much for the response.

My vet really didn’t think it was age related but that was back when it was only the one eye. She hasn’t seen him since they both became cloudy. I’m thinking of bringing him in but I don’t think she’s able to do the pressure test at her office. I would need to bring him to the eye specialist. But something I’m thinking about again. I’m definitely worried about him being in pain. He really doesn’t seem to be, but we all know how bunnies are. He is on a daily dose of Metacam. I’m going to talk to my vet again about the possibility of glaucoma or something else age related. Seems much more likely, with boys eyes being weird and his age added to that.

I really wish I could get a decent pic.

Thanks, Q8- I have noticed the sneezing much dismissed since starting the Baytril a few days ago so something positive there.

[BinkyBunny]

I do hope she can do a pressure test there as that is usually a basic thing…for some. (not all). I know my vet was able to do that, HOWEVER, for further treatment for it, more than what she could offer when the meds stopped working, I did have to go to a eye specialist (but also due to other eye issues not related to glaucoma — ulcer). I’m just so sorry — it can be so frustrating. It’s good though that he has pain meds to make him feel comfortable.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, Jenn. I’m gonna talk to my tomorrow about the pressure test. 

I took these pics last night. Not great pics, but the best I can do. Really hard to tell what is going on, even with me just looking at them. Makes it more difficult because his eyes are so light. 

Left eye. The first one that had problems. 

Right eye. 

 

Best way to describe what I’m seeing is that it looks like there is fogginess over the majority of his eyes, but mostly concentrated in the middle. And looks really pearly. 

[BinkyBunny]

I don’t know if my thread from a long while back regarding Viv’s eye issues would be any help, but may be worth checking out. https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/ta…fault.aspx

Here is a picture of Viv’s eyes.  It looks sort of like a cataract, but according to the vet, this is due to the glaucoma and makes the lens slip which makes it look like this.  Later, it also slipped further where it sort of collapse and gave it another weird look.  (uneven for sure).  Not sure if this looks familiar.    By the way — when the lens slips and creates a more solid look, it can happen overnight! 

I may be mistaken, but I am not 100% sure if glaucoma is age related in rabbits as I know some bunnies (even posted here) were just a couple of years old. 

[jerseygirl]

I may be mistaken, but I am not 100% sure if glaucoma is age related in rabbits as I know some bunnies (even posted here) were just a couple of years old. 

Yeah.. I notice also that much of what is written about it is in relation to it occuring in young rabbits – as a hereditary condition. However, it does appear people have related stories online of their elderly buns developing glaucoma. It might be a case of data still coming in about it in relation to age. Vets now seeing rabbits of more advance age then they were seeing in the past – and seeing more cases perhaps…

LPT, when you look down on his eye from above, can you see any of the cloudiness more “forward” then the rest? Does that make sense? It may be an illusion but in the left eye, that more opaque spot in the centre looks like it could be in the more outer layers of the eye, and the other swirls more behind that.

Im wondering if worthwhile to seek out an appt with a vet that does have the means to do the eye pressure test, then they give results back to your vet and you go from there? So you’d be looking at 1st consult fee rather then specialist fee.

Something to ask about is steroidal eye drops if the vets do determine a condition that would cause pain. Don’t quote me on this, but I *think* it is safe for steroidal eye drops to be used when a rabbit is also on oral NSAID like metacam. Oral and injectable corticosteroid are supposed to be used with caution with rabbits, and not used alongside NSAID’s but I *think* it may be different for topical steroids in the eye. I’ll try look some info on that, I may be completely wrong!!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, Jenn and Jersey.

It looks like Bindi’s eyes may look similar to Vivian’s but it’s super hard to tell with such light eyes. But looks like she had that pearliness that he has.

I’m going to look into an eye pressure test. I just messaged my vet and asked whether they do it. If not, yes I will call other vets offices that see rabbits and ask as it would be cheaper than seeing the specialist.

And no, I don’t really see any more thickness in his eyes where it’s cloudy.

[LittlePuffyTail]

My vets reply:

“It’s not primary glaucoma but the mass in his eye could cause increase pressure creating glaucoma, which is not good. We can do pressure testing during the mornings on weekdays”

Kind of wonder why she didn’t suggest the pressure test. I’m gonna call this morning to inquire.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I just made an apt. with my vet for Thursday morning to do the eye pressure test.

[Deleted User]

Awww poor Bindi Hang in there!

I’ve been following the post but haven’t replied because I don’t have any experience. But sending ((hugs)) !

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks, BunNoob.

[Q8bunny]

Darling boy… I’m anxious to hear the results now. (((love for Bindi)))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Saw the vet today. She was visibly concerned about the changes in his eyes. But I know they look bad. That upset me seeing her reaction, though. But the good news is there is no pressure changes to the eyes so I don’t have to worry about that making him uncomfortable. But he lost weight again. The last 2 visits he’s gone down. Gonna try to up his Critical Care. My vet is such an angel. She didn’t charge me for today’s visit.

[Bam]

That’s something at least, that the pressure is good and not causing him pain. And so kind of her to not charge you. She must be pretty fond of him. And of you =)

Kiss him from me and Bam!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Yes, that part was a relief. Yes she is fond of Bindi. Who wouldn’t be?  He’s such a good little patient. And she’s been his vet most of his life and I’m sure he’s taught her a lot. He’s had a lot of weird, rare problems where she just says “because you’re Bindi”. And, well, I’m pretty darn love-able too.

[Luna]

That’s a big relief that his eye pressure is ok!

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Aww, that’s so sweet! Your vet sounds amazing

[Q8bunny]

I’m glad there’s no pressure to make his little eyes ache. And I agree – your vet sounds like a lovely person. Does Bindi like his Critical Care? Might a bit of oats help with the weight, or is his tum too sensitive?

[LittlePuffyTail]

He loves his CC! Thankfully! I’ve tried a bit of oats but it caused some mushy poops, unfortunately. He’s got a pretty sensitive tummy. He can’t handle much pellets, either.

[jerseygirl]

Coming back to this really late, sorry! Im really pleased his pressure readings were normal. One less thing to worry about!
Good thing he likes his CC and it helps with his weight some. If he has been battling some low grade infections, that does seem to make these older buns a bit lean.

[Author]

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