Eye infection

[Jenny]

Hello, I just brought Winston to the vet and he now has an eye infection after finally just finishing the 2 weeks of limited fun time with being neutered. With covid happening I have yet to be able to go into the vet to learn more about how to do things for my bun since I’m a new bunny mom. I’m worried I’m not going to be able to get the drops in his eyes since he still doesn’t let me pick him up. I lay and pet him no problem and he’ll come on my lap for treats or lettuce but doesn’t stay if I don’t have anything good! Lol! I’m also wondering how he got an eye infection, is it the bedding because I always find even though it says dust free it still seems dusty and maybe I shouldn’t be using bedding all over his cage and just maybe put a blanket or something but then wonder if he’d eat that? My cage is hard plastic bottom and he does push it all away to lay down on so maybe I’m wasting my money. Thanks

[Bam]

I’m sorry Winston has an eye infection. The cause is often hay, but it could perhaps be the bedding or practically anything that can cause a scratch on the eye, where ambient, otherwise harmless, bacteria can start to grow. The recent neuter has put a little bit of strain on his immune defense, so that could have contributed.

Most of us here don’t really use bedding in the bunny cage or enclosure. Bedding is good in the litter box, because it soaks up pee, but the bun doesn’t really need bedding to sleep on. Its often easier to litter train a bun if there’s bedding in the litter box but not in the “home” area.

Some buns will eat fabric, which obviously isn’t good. The only way to find out how a rabbit responds to fabric is to do a supervised trial run. I have fleece blankets for my bun. I buy the cheapest ones I can find at Dollar Store, because they will get bite holes in them and they’ll need pretty frequent washing.

As for giving him the eye drops, he will obviously not appreciate it, but rabbits do forgive. It would be great if you can get someone to help you hold him when you give the drops. You can make a bunny burrito with a towel to restrict his movements. He will still blink and not be happy about the drops, but as long as you get some of the drops onto the eye, its all good. Give him a really yummy treat after the drops so he gets a good reward.

Here is an instruction on how to make a bunny burrito, with pictures:

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Transport/Towel/Towel.htm

[Jenny]

Thank you so much Bam, I think I’m going to take the paper bedding out as I find it so dusty and ends up outside his cage and in his water dish so much. Would it be ok to take it all out at once or would that cause stress with a big change? It’s a plastic bottom so it’s ok to have nothing I’m thinking, he pushes it out of his little bridge cover to sleep under just on the plastic bottom.
We managed to get drops in pretty good just by petting him, if I can manage a few times a day like this I hope it will clear up. Poor little guy. I didn’t get to even talk to the vet and the tech wouldn’t say how it happened, with covid I find I’m getting limited service.

He’s definitely giving me the cold shoulder now that we are home. Not happy going to the vet. But got him to eat some lettuce and he got some good treats after the drops.

Thanks again for the advice and support.  Jen

[Bam]

He will be a little miffed about the vet visit, practically all buns feel insulted by a vet visit. That he takes treats and lettuce means he’s not too stressed out to eat, so I think he’ll be fine before the day is over.

You can remove all the bedding at once if you like.

[Jenny]

Thanks Bam, he’s coming around! I just hope his eye infection will clear up quickly and he’ll be a happy bunny again! 😊

[Jenny]

Poor Winstons eye are still red after 2 1/2 days of drops, they don’t seem to be doing much. Hopefully things change in the next couple days. 🙁

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