Partially Blind Bunny Care: Cataract? Infection?

[Da Bunny Mama]

Hello! I’ve come to this website many times in the past and always found help through other posts so my first thought was to ask here since Google gave me ideas but no experience…if that makes sense.

I’m currently seeking advice from anyone on what could possibly be happening to my partially blind Eastern Cottontail.

He was rescued as a kit after being seen slinging himself up and falling hard on his face after being spooked by a dog. As a result, he has limited movement on the right side of his face, a broken ear, and is partially blind from this incident.

Despite this misfortune, he has never had any issues. He’s even had some signs of movement as far as blinking but only at random moments. A month or so after that, I noticed his eye was different…

At first, it seemed to be that his eye was forming a film from too much air flow, as he loves to be in front of fans and such. Then when the colder weather came, I feared he had somehow scorched his eye. But each time it has cleared up, back to normal.

The time before this (fourth occurrence), he had excessive drainage and a film formed similar to what the current photo shows down below. Again, it cleared but this time a small spot was left on his pupil. I assumed this was the final moment of a cataract forming. It is now a few weeks later and this is happening again.

Is this just a cataract process or an infection?
Can I do anything to aid this at home? I’m worried a vet would want nothing to do with treating him since he is an Eastern Cottontail and here, all of the vets see rabbits in general as exotic pets so finding a knowledgeable, caring vet is hard so I’m worried about proper care outside of his being a wild animal as well…

[Muchelle]

Can’t say what it is, but that looks like it needs vet attention as soon as possible, especially because of the discharge.
You can find a list of expert vets at this link, check if there is any close to your city: https://binkybunny.com/RESOURCES/tabid/67/Default.aspx

[Da Bunny Mama]

I called a local vet and they are willing to look at him despite his being considered wild…and my worrisome rambling.

I do hate having to wait until Saturday but that’s the closest day the specialist is available…

His eye seems to have calmed on this much of drainage but it still looks on the nasty side so I’m still worried but hoping it’s something that can be easily taken care of.

[jerseygirl]

{{{Little Cottontail}}} Do let us know how you get on at the vet.

You could apply a warm compress in the meantime. It may provide some relief for him. Most rabbits really like this but if he shys away from it, I wouldn’t try again as it could be the pressure is not helping. I normally just used a washcloth Ive run under warm water & gently wrung out. Then I fold it over several times and hold agains the eye.

Because his eye has become inflammed like this then resolved in the past, I wonder if he has a in issue with the eye draining adequetely? Maybe that duct became damaged or is prone to blocking up?
When there in infection in the nasolacrimal duct, it can sometimes lead to infection of the cornea also (keratitis).

Also, if his vision is poorer on that side, is he prone to knocking that eye more often?

[Da Bunny Mama]

He has sometimes bumped his eye on things, especially while playing with my other bun. But he usually has a recovery with his eye actually attempting to blink and add fluid. Just as if we were to bump our eye, etc.

UPDATE:
He was diagnosed with having a deep infection in his eye that his eye couldn’t flush out properly. His eye has built up a protective layer in hopes of keeping the eye from further damage. But it has been unsuccessful in trying to heal on its own all this time. Hence the clear up, come back, clear up, etc.

He’s been put on eye drops for the infection and will be having a quick surgery Monday morning in order to help the eye heal fully since it cannot on its own (need to promote natural fluid flow). So now it’s just eye drops 3-4x a day then waiting to see how the surgery goes and continue care with eye drops.?

[LittlePuffyTail]

(((((Healing Vibes for your Bun)))))

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