Eyesight with EC

[Asriel and Bombur]

So as you all know, Bombur was diagnosed with EC back in February. It has been a long uphill battle with his kidneys. He’s fine for the most part. I was noticing though his eyesight may be deteriorating. I know EC can cause neurological issues, so I’m wondering if maybe his vision has been affected by it as well.

At first I thought it was his hindlegs because he seems to have problems jumping, but then I observed more and realized it could be his vision. I think he has issues with depth perception maybe? I always have to put him back in the cage via a litter box because whenever he tries to go in on his own he either jumps too short and smashes his head on the lip of the entrance, or he jumps too long and hits his head on the back wall. Jumping into the litter boxes seem to be a problem too, as he always seems to jump to short and half is body gets in and half his body falls out. Our mattress is right on the ground, so it’s probably a 3-4 inch hop, but even that seems to make him apprehensive and he often misses the mark. Even putting your hand in his face he seems to not notice. You could be holding a treat an inch away from his eye and he still won’t know where to bit the treat from. 

Are there any ways I can make his life easier if it is his vision? Does anyone know of any bunny friendly ramps that he won’t slip on? Any tips for helping him get around more easily? 

[kurottabun]

Maybe you could change his cage into a pen instead and just add a door (I think Wick recently did this)? That way he wouldn’t need to jump to enter his little area. There are also low lip litter boxes but usually it’s just the front that has a low lip with three other higher sides. I reckon that’ll still be better than a normal litter box though.

I think bunnies in general have really poor eyesight compared to their sense of smell and hearing. Kurotta doesn’t seem to have any signs of deteriorating eyesight, but I often find him using his nose much more often when it comes to locating treats, even if they’re all right in front of (or around) him.

Is he knocking into things and such when he’s out and about?

[Asriel and Bombur]

Hey K! Unfortunately there’s no space for a pen considering they’re in the same room as we are. The boys’ cages alone take up about half the room, so sadly it’s just not doable. I’m planning on doing that when we move next year though. They’re litter boxes are pretty low all the way around. I think no more than like 2 inches to hop. And yes he’s constantly knocking into things when he’s out! I feel bad for the little guy. Whenever he’s out you’re bound to hear a few thuds. I really do think he’s having a hard time. I looked this morning at his eyes, and there seems to be a little ringlet at the bottom of each eye. I’m not entirely sure how normal it is though. Az just has big brown eyes. But Bombur is brown eyed too and there’s just this white crescent shape at the bottom.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Sorry to hear that. Has he had a vet look at his eyes for any abnormalities? 

EC can cause cloudiness which can lead to blindness. You probably remember Bindi’s vision loss. He was never diagnosed but I strongly suspect it was due to EC. He eventually lost vision in both eyes. 

With Bindi, I just made sure that everything on the floor was always the same. I would tidy up all toys and everything before he came out for run time. He started reducing the space where he would venture.

[Asriel and Bombur]

Thanks LPT! I was hoping you’d chime in with your Bindi experience. Bombur had an annual back in July, and he was put on Oxibendazole then to try to clear the EC up once and for all, and hope for no more flare ups. I remember her checking his eyes, and not really saying anything about them. I was thinking I’d give her a ring at some point today to see what she thinks. I don’t really know if I would describe the eye as cloudy? Like it’s not his cornea or pupil, but just where on the bottom portion where the brown should indicate his eye color it’s all white.

[Bunny House]

I have a thought, it might be wrong but since you said it’s where the brown is supposed to be and not the pupil, is there a possibility he has another infection and the parasite is forming a capsul in his eye? I’m learning about parasites now and how some can capsulize in eyes. Just a thought

[Asriel and Bombur]

Maybe, but almost all his issue are related to his EC. His frequent stasis episodes, his kidneys, his lethargy. They’re all caused by the EC. Here’s a picture of something similar to his eyes, but the white portion on the bottom isn’t nearly this big. It’s a very thin line. Almost as if you were to bite a small portion off your pinky nail. https://www.thesprucepets.com/thmb/9sAx5MnWdCWlbDwxkFIfRDr_N_U=/960×0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-654736993-581373bf3df78c2c73bef76c.jpg

[LittlePuffyTail]

hmmm……That’s def different than Bindi’s eyes. With his, it just started looking a little off and then got cloudier and cloudier. First one eye, then the other.

Are both eyes the same?

From the research I’ve done, EC eye problems seem to be more like a small blotch of white as opposed to allover cloudiness like Bindi. But I still suspect that’s what Bindi had going on, pretty much all his medical problems over the years, were always not by the books and baffling to my vet.

In case you haven’t seen it yet, this is a good article with pictures about eyes:

ttp://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Eye_dis…Cat_en.htm

[Asriel and Bombur]

I did read that the other day, but didn’t turn up with anything. I remember someone popped in a while ago with a similar crescent marking in the eye, but I don’t recall what the outcome was. I think it’s on both eyes? I’m not entirely sure though. I’d have to check when I get home. I tried to get a photo last night but somebun was being stubborn.

[vanessa]

My bunny lancelot went blind with ec. He adapted well though. For his litter box, I cut one side down so he didn’t have to jump. U can find litter pans for older cats/dogs that have a low side. Just keep your bunnys items in the same spot so he learns where they r. Lancelot really did well with his vision loss. He used his nose and ears more. I noticed he would cock his head and listen to where i was comming from, and he would sniff the air crazily when i brought food into the room. I developed a pattern with him where I would touch his ears and nose to “steer” him, and run my hand down his spine when I was going to pick him up, so that I didnt startle him.

[Q8bunny]

Aw, balls… That is so sad to hear. But considering how adaptable bunnies tend to be, and how we’ve definitely had members with otherwise-well blind buns, I’m guessing that with your loving assistance, Bombur will learn to cope with his failing eyesight. I confess that as I was reading your OP, my mind went straight to LPT’s Bindiloo. ❤️ I’m glad she chimed in.

I have an idea for a ramp: one of those corrugated cardboard cat scratching pads. They’re wonderfully grippy, and many are cheap and narrow/longish, so would attach nicely to a cage door with zipties.

[Asriel and Bombur]

Vanessa: That would makes sense. Little man gets really panicky if you change anything around. Like heart rate is visibly faster and eyes are wide. We tried opening up the room more and giving the boys more space a while ago and he was not a fan of it. We left it like that for a few hours but he was so stressed I changed it back.

Q8: That could be an idea. We’re planning on getting the boys a cat tower in the future (for Asriel’s high jump tendencies) so I could probably check those out at the same time.

I’m honestly just sad for him. He’s not even 2 yet and he’s had so many issues already. You’d never know it though. He’s the happiest, most friendly, most cuddly bunny I’ve ever encountered. Sure his EC makes him tend to lay down more often than not, but overall he can get pretty excitable over things (treats ). I don’t mind the lifelong taking care of him, and my vet said a while ago she wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t live the *typical* holland lop lifespan. I just want to make his life the best it can be with the time he’s got, no matter how long or short, or how sick he is.

[Wick & Fable]

A&B, I understand your sentiment all too well! As you know, Wick also is around his age and is going through his share of maladies (his back is all scabbed up from the daily shots for syphilis).

I find that if you have such a mindset, it will show in your body language and how you treat that person. I have no doubts that he is receiving such love and care from you, and will continue to as these events unfold.

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.

[Asriel and Bombur]

Thanks Wick That means a lot coming from another parent of a chronically ill bun. And I echo those sentiments back to you as well!

[LittlePuffyTail]

“I don’t mind the lifelong taking care of him, and my vet said a while ago she wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t live the *typical* holland lop lifespan. I just want to make his life the best it can be with the time he’s got, no matter how long or short, or how sick he is.”

Bindi had many, many health problems his whole life. I think they started around age 1 or 2. It was ridiculous how often he was at the vet. And the last 3 or so years we had to do Sub Q fluids every night. Same as you, I didn’t mind all the extra care or the vet bills. He was worth every bit of it. And it was sort of unsaid, but obviously my vet and I never thought he would live a long life. But he did! Despite his problems, he was tough and loved life. Passing at 11 years old, I had him longer than any of my other bunnies.

Hope that makes you feel a little better.

[Asriel and Bombur]

Thanks LPT it actually does because Bombur is definitely a fighter. I think we were all surprised when he pulled through from his bout with enterotoxemia. I think we knew then he was a fighter. I think to be honest he was going to miss all the treats and snuggles we give him

[Q8bunny]

Posted By Asriel and Bombur on 11/02/2018 7:13 AM
I think we knew then he was a fighter. I think to be honest he was going to miss all the treats and snuggles we give him

This breaks my heart in a good way. ?

[Author]

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