Swollen eye lids, please advise!

[NewBunnyOwner123]

So my friend that I got Bam from. Her rabbit (5-6 years old), who just gave birth today (accidental litter with Bam. That’s why he is now MINE) has swollen eye lids. She showed me a pic like a week or two ago and it was just a watery eye so I told her to watch it to see if it gets worse thinking maybe she had dust in her eye or got poked. Well today she showed me a picture and her eye lid is actually swelling up it seems. She also told me she doesn’t seem to have the best vision. The other eye is clear and bright. This one, just, idk…looks swollen. 

Should see take her bun to the vet? If so, does she need to worry about the babies while her bun goes to the vet. She is in NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM a breeder. She got Bam from a pet store, was told he was a female. And now she knows. But what do you guys think she should do? 

[Sarita]

The babies will be fine without mom for a few hours – they only feed twice a day.

If that were my rabbit I would think she was uncomfortable and would want to take her to the vet. Maybe she scratched it or something.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Ok that’s what we were thinking. Just wasn’t sure on if babies will be okay or not. I told her they are only fed once or twice a day so it should be fine but wasn’t absolutely sure considering we don’t deal with babies lol also, there’s another females in there. Do they need to be separated from the litter of baby bunnies?

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Also she’s worried that when she takes momma to the vet that when she brings her back home Oreo will not want them anymore. Oreo is 5-6 and had one accidental litter a few years ago and completely neglected them so the owner is quite worried

[Sarita]

I don’t think that would be the case…how old are the babies?

[BunnyLady1989]

I would say yes in keeping this other female seperate from the kits. I hear that a lot of times the first litter can get neglected because the mom doesn’t know what to do…that’s what I have heard but I do not have experience in this area. Hopefully someone who knows of this subject will see this.

And yes she should go to the vet. It could get an infection and get so bad to the point where she could lose her eye.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

The babies were born today. They are only a few hours old.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

And will the other female chipper need to be separated away from the babies? Oreo and Chipper have been bonded for 5-6 years now. Will chipper hurt Oreos babies while Oreo is at the vet

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I wouldn’t leave another rabbit who is not mom with access to the babies, that could be dangerous. I would separate them until the babies are weaned. And I would go quickly to the vet that looks very uncomfortable.
Completely agree with Sarita-they will be fine without mom for a few hours because they don’t nurse often (2x a day) and make a nest that is warm for the babies -they don’t linger to keep them warm or nurse all day.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Alright I gave her the general consensus to separate Oreo and chipper. They’ve been together their whole life and chipper hasn’t even tried going near the nest yet. She’s really bummed she has to separate because Oreo has never been alone or even separated from chipper their whole lives (5-6years) But she’s going to separate. And I told her about the vet too. If there’s anymore advice to give please feel free. Neither of us have any idea about baby bunnies. The momma only had two babies.

Also, will this hurt their bond in any way. What should she do if she notices stress from the two females being separated?

[Roberta]

NBO do you have myxo in your area ? If so I think the bun needs to get to the vet asap…. I hope I am wrong and that its just irritation but swollen eyes is one of the first signs…

[LongEaredLions]

If they are not spayed, it is a matter of time until they fight anyway, most likely, so I think she should separate them and ‘re-bond them once they are fixed.

[Roberta]

Hopefully Bam won’t have been infected if it is myxomatosis as he was separated from them unfortunately Oreo and the babies may be infected too.. You need to get ALL of the to the vet as soon as physically possible.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Ok I’m going to look that up. Ive never heard of it and know nothing about it and LEL, these two have been together for 6years no issues a spay is out of the question for chipper and Oreo. Some bonds are so strong that even unspayed they get along just fine. They have never ever had a scuffle. They are older and she really is hesitant to out them through surgery. She has 3 other girls she’s considering spaying as they are only 1-2 years old. She just went out to check on them (she’s building a divider tomorrow) and Oreo and chipper are cuddling in a big box of hay right now.

Her buns are outside buns so she can’t closely monitor them if they were to get in a scuffle from Oreo being protective of the babies. But as of right now they both act like the babies don’t exist.
I’ll look that myxomatosis thing

[Roberta]

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Viral_diseases/Myxo/Myxo.htm
It is spread by fleas and mosquitoes also by contact between contaminated rabbits so keep Bam at home, don’t be tempted to take himm to the vets with them… Make sure you wash thoroughly and change your clothes before handling your own buns…. If they are outside rabbits then I would say it is now a definite possibility…. I really hope I am wrong but the last time I saw eye swelling like this it was Myxo.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

I just looked it up and I don’t think it’s that, thankfully. It doesn’t seem to be as common in United States as other countries like Australia. *phew* I think she’s going to take her to the vet either way. She was just concerned how it would affect the relationship with momma and babies. I don’t think she trusts Oreo to take good care of them because a few years ago Oreo had babies and completely ignored them. So she’s, understandably, on edge this round.

[Roberta]

If you haven’t had your bunnies vaccinated I would do so immediately just in case it is in your area… Inside buns are safer from it but not completely safe as mozzies and fleas can get indoors and the disease can be transferred by touch.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Oh my well these aren’t MY rabbits. They are about an hour away from me. But IF this is that would I be seeing signs by now. He seems fine, no eye irritation. Her buns are all outdoors and it’s just that one eye.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Also there isn’t a vaccine for rabbits here in the United States. But I’m glad my guys are indoors :/

[Roberta]

I think Bam will be fine… He has been with you long enough to have been out of there before the infection started….

[jerseygirl]

Is there some white discharge in the corner of her eye?

My guess is there’s some chronic systemic infection that flares up due to stress. (Pregnancy/birthing would take a bit out of her). Or it could be as result of injury or a bite. So risk of abscess here.

Does Chipper groom Oreos eye for her? If so, it may be that there’s been an issue for a while owner unaware as the eye always was cleaned up. Over grooming the eye may make it red and swollen too.

Just some thoughts…

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Well actually Cali kept grooming the eye but she removed Cali and floppy into a separate hutch and then she noticed it watering a few days later. And now the kids are swelling up. Chipper isn’t grooming her eyes. Or from what she notices it was Cali always grooming her eyes.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

Well the swelling went down. She just sent a pic. But she’s still squinting it. She’s going to take her to the vet though for a general check up because she is getting older and has never been before

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