Ingrown Eyelashes

[Sarita]

Anyone ever had this problem with a pet?  I think Bobby has this problem.  Frequently it seems like the eyelashes on right eye stick to his eyeball and causes problems. I do my best to try to get the eyelashes back in place (not easy and I know it’s uncomfortable for him).

 I’ve taken him into the vet numerous times for eye problems due to this.  I’m taking him tomorrow for this – the receptionist is the one who recommended this was the problem and said it was common in some dogs.  I’ve tried to articulate this to the vet before (not my regular vet she was out).  I’m not sure there is much other than some surgical procedure to rectify the problem (which I would not want to do). 

I feel bad about this….I don’t know what exactly happens to cause the eyelash to suddenly “fall” into the eye…I imagine it’s due to the way the eyelashes grow and maybe he rubs his eye and the eyelashes get stuck.  

[JackRabbit]

Has this always happened? Is it just a few lashes or most on that side? Has the vet said (or can you tell) if the lashes are actually growing inward or if his lid is rolling inward?

If the lid is rolling inward and there’s been no injury to the eyelid, it makes me wonder if he might have a little dry eye on that side causing the lid to maybe not slide smoothly over the eye (maybe drag a little causing the lid to turn under). I’m just grasping at straws, but with what we’re going through with Moshi’s eyes right now and what all I’ve experienced with my own dry eyes, I thought it couldn’t hurt to throw this out there.

Our vet thinks Moshi’s eyes haven’t healed quickly because he doesn’t produce enough tears all the time. He started out on antibiotic drops and has been switched to antibiotic ointment. She said that GenTeal nighttime ointment for people is safe for bunnies and that it might be something we look at once Mosh’s eyes have healed. All it does is help lubricate the eyes and make them more comfortable. Anyway, it might be something to ask your vet about, if nothing else, might be worth asking if it would be an option to make Bobby’s eye more comfortable until he gets in to see the vet when his eyelashes do turn in.

[LBJ10]

Dogs do have this, but it is usually genetic and noticed pretty much right away when they are young. The eyelids actually curl inwards and the eyelashes will constantly rub against the eye. Surgery is needed to fix it. For Bobby though, I’m thinking along the same lines as JR.

[Sarita]

Thanks JB & LBJ – dropped him off at the vet this morning. It’s always the same eye and the same lashes. It may be dry eye although I never noticed which doesn’t really mean a thing…I’ve done some ointments in the past when I’ve had the same problem – although those dang ointments are not my favorite but they seem to be what is the most effective for the problem.

[Sarita]

So this is my vet’s thoughts….not ingrown eyelashes. Apparently rabbits can be prone to eye infections (and that’s true based on what we read here) and because of the infection the eyelid swells up and that causes the lashes to lay on the eye. It’s unfortunate but that sounds reasonable to me. So we are doing an eye drop and an eye ointment. I guess it’s just something along with the dental problem that I’m just going to have to deal with – it makes me sad how uncomfortable it makes Bobby but it is what it is and I know we can deal with it.

[JackRabbit]

What kind of drops and ointment did the vet give you? I’m curious — Moshi was on cipro drops and now teramycin (sp?) ointment.

[Sarita]

so the drops are called Flurbiprofen and the ointment is Erythromycin – both new to me.

[JackRabbit]

I’ve heard of the ointment, but not the drops. I looked up the drops and they’re for inflamation. Good to know. Hope the eye infection clears up fast!

[Sarita]

I should have looked at the other ointments that I just tossed out…I decided I wouldn’t want to reuse open eye ointments because I was concerned about contamination..

That definitely makes sense that she gave me drops for inflammation. I hope it clears fast as well – he goes for a recheck next Tuesday.

Don’t think he’s feeling 100% just yet – he usually jumps on my bed to bother me, but he didn’t last night.

[LBJ10]

Aww, poor Bobby. Are you able to get the ointment in okay? I’ve never had much luck with ointments, Wooly is too wiggly for that. The eye drops, however, can be sneaked into his eye with relative ease.

[Sarita]

I’m with you on the ointment – hate it! And my vet knows but she says it necessary. I even have a problem with this particular eyedrops – they seem thick. I do the best I can and he seems like he’s feeling better because he came downstairs tonight for his pets. I think the tiny rabbits are just harder to medicate all around, at least in my opinion and experience.

[LBJ10]

That’s good. At least he’s feeling well enough to ask for pets. Hopefully the stuff the vet gave you will do the trick and get him back to 100%.

[LittlePuffyTail]

(((((Bobby))))))

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