My rabbits eye

[TheLittleBunns]

I left my 2 rabbits and cat with my boyfriends brother while we got our apartment fumigated. They stayed in their cages in the same room the cat. I just got them back today and my rabbits one eye is swollen shut and gooey. I don’t think he’s sick. What If my cat scratched him? I took a warm wash cloth and wiped the pus. He is also still eating hay and treats. I have money to take him to the vet but vets around here just aren’t very rabbit savvy. Last time I took my other rabbit to the vet for sneezing he looked at her for a good 30 seconds then walked off without saying anything, then came back with meds that I had to give her that didn’t even fix the problem. Should I wait a day or 2 and see what happens? I don’t know when his eye got messed up though. Also, my cat is usually perfectly fine around the rabbits. I didn’t expect it to happen.

[jerseygirl]

Yes, I’d take to vet. Its too easy for infection to take hold.
The can put a dye in the eye to show up any scratches. Sound like bun will probably need antibiotic drops or ointment.

If you feel ok about posting the general area your in, some other member might be able to recommend other vets.

ETA: how are the buns nails looking? He could have accidently scratched his own eye.

[TheLittleBunns]

His nails aren’t bad. i clip them. I have him scheduled to go to the vet today. Hes not eating or pooping much He is eating treats though

[TheLittleBunns]

I went to the vet and found out its Pink Eye. He prescribed me baytril, eye medicine, and some kind of dry oxbow food that i have to mix with water to force feed him. I’ve been giving him the meds, force feeding, and force giving him water. I also put a warm wash cloth on his eye to clean it. Is there anything else I need to do? Will it clear up? He has barely been pooping too How long will it take for him to start feeling better? I wouldn’t be so worried but the fact that hes not really eating, drinking or pooping worries me

[jerseygirl]

That sounds like oxbow Critical Care. You can alway try mix up the feed and offer it in a shallow dish. Some rabbits will eat it like that. Even more so if mixed with some pumpkin or apple purée. Keeping putting his regular food nearby though, incase he takes to that. Keep tempting him with a variety of things. It’s not unusual for them not to want pellets at times like this. However, they might take to something they normally snub or you wouldn’t think they’d like.

Keeping fluids up is important. It will help pass any gut contents he already has in system and once they empty out, they’ll usually starting wanting to eat.
Fingers crossed.
{{{vibes}}}

[TheLittleBunns]

Hes been on the meds for 8 days, and hes running around, eating and pooping fine now, but his eye is still horrible. Closed shut and gooey, and the hair around it is falling out. How long should it take to heal up?

[Sarita]

I would call the vet and let them know the condition because you should at least see some improvement by now. Was the baytril oral or eye drops?

[TheLittleBunns]

Baytril is oral, and the stuff for his eye is called neomycin and polymyxin b sulfates, and bacitracin zinc ophthlmic ointment

[Sarita]

How long is he on this and do you have an appt. for a recheck?

[TheLittleBunns]

The eye lids look even more swollen than before. Its frustrating because this is the only decent rabbit vet in hundreds of miles. When i took my other rabbit the stuff he gave me didn’t fix her problem either, and he didn’t spend much time looking at either of them. It costs a lot to take them to the vet here and I feel like im just throwing my money at them and getting nothing in return -.-

[TheLittleBunns]

No recheck appointment. He’s been on the meds for 8 days and had the eye problem for 10 days.

[TheLittleBunns]

.

[Sarita]

Well, I think I would contact the clinic and let them know that the eye is not healing up.

[TheLittleBunns]

https://imageshack.com/i/p2i6ckukj

Theres a picture of it. I opened the eye a little.

[TheLittleBunns]

I’m sure all they will tell me is to come back in and give me some other type of medication that will not work or have me put him to sleep or something. -.- its ridiculously frustrating

[Sarita]

Well, that eye looks terrible – if you aren’t happy with this vet is there another vet you can see for a second opinion.

I would hope that this vet does not tell you to put him to sleep. I know it’s frustrating but honestly you need to seek the care of a vet because I don’t think there is any over the counter medication that is going to help him. I’m sure this is very uncomfortable and painful for your rabbit.

How old is your rabbit by the way?

[TheLittleBunns]

There is one other vet, but their rabbit savvy person is almost never there. He is about a year and 1/2 old. I wanted to get him neutered this month, but now that hes sick and his last check up was as much as the neuter will be it is going to be hard. I need to get my 6 month old female spayed too. My bf and I are also trying to get a new apartment and car. Money is tight =/

[Sarita]

I think I would call the vet who prescribed the other medications and let them know – perhaps since they’ve seen him they can just prescribe something else since it’s obvious that one does not seem to be working.

[TheLittleBunns]

I’m going to take him to a different vet tomorrow. I dont really want to deal with the other vet anymore.

[jerseygirl]

Good luck! I was thinking you may as well try your luck with a local “cat/dog” vet if not happy with the other.
The main thing with rabbits is they don’t tolerate some oral antibiotics that a cat or dog would. It messes up their gut flora. Here’s a checklist of drugs you don’t want a vet to prescribe.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/index_en.htm
Keep in mind, some are okay given by injection.

My bunny had a gentimycin ointment when she had an eye ulcer. Chloramphenicol drops are an alternative to use in some cases.
Maybe ask about flushing the eye with saline also?

My friends angora rabbits eye would flare up like this on occasions. Strange.
The fur grows back once the area is kept dry.

[TheLittleBunns]

it could be some kind of ulcer. I wish i could just keep cleaning it at home and it would heal on its own. Its rough having to spend so much, but not have the problem fixed. I just work part time at target. My family all lives 997 miles from me so its just me and my bf.

[Sarita]

I totally understand! I wish that were the case too – how is it looking now?

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