Teeth and assorted ailments

[Bat-E]

I took Harri-bun to the vet’s today, as I am not comfortable clipping them myself. While there I asked him to check her over for me. This was partly because I felt that either something was wrong or she is not a very bright bun

We hadn’t seen this vet before, but he was very good (and very Aussie!! I’m in the UK) and told me a few things I haven’t been told on previous visits.

1. Harri has albino eyes. Her left eye is blind as the retina has disintegrated. The right one is OK for now, but she may go totally blind

2. What I thought was puss next to her anus, is actually discharge from glands and is ‘normal’ though he agreed that I should continue to wash that area once a week to keep it from getting infected (which is did in November)

3. I mentioned that she seems to have gone off carrots, which she loves and used to devour. It seems her molars have spurs on them and need filing down. She is booked in for this on Thursday. I am very worried of course about her going under a general anethetic, but know that she must so she can eat properly and before things get any worse.

I’m sure others have had this issue before, if a rabbit needs their teeth filing once, does it mean she will again and how often?

Has anyone else got a blind rabbit? Is there a way to improve their quality of life and exercise? She does seem to hop around ok, but is not as active as she used to be, even though she has toys.

Thanks for any advice

Bat-E – mum to Harriet

 

[Sarita]

It is possible that her teeth will need filing again. Sometimes this is due to the teeth not aligning up properly. I could not say for certain how often your rabbit will need to have her teeth filed however – it truly does vary from rabbit to rabbit. I would ask for pain meds and reglan too – sometimes the filing hurts quite a bit and it takes a few days for them to get back to normal.

I’m glad you found a good vet.

[Bat-E]

Yes, I expected it might vary according to the rabbit. I just hope that this helps her quickly get her appitite back, seeing her not finish a bit of apple is quite upsetting!

Bat-E

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’ve read and heard that red eyed bunnies should not be exposed to direct sunlight as that will cause them to go blind-not sure if that’s true though but you may always want to keep her indoors to protect her eyes.

It’s actually not hard having a blind bunny, I have one too. He gets startled easily, but since your bunny can hear you can use your voice to make sure she doens’t startle when you have to pick her up or cuddle her. They adjust very well to not having eyesight actually. You can always ask me for suggestions if she does go blind.

{{VIBES}} for the surgery -don’t be worried many rabbits have to have this done and since your vet is good it should go smoothly *hugs*

[bunnytowne]

Hmm interesting about the REW…  Ruby with her ruby eyes does seem to have problems with direct sunlight she doesn’t like it on her face. Her eyes seem to squint.

Cottons too though.

[skunklionshow]

BT:  I had no idea that ruby had ruby eyes…I guess I should have figured that out.

I believe that the red eyes is due to an “albino” gene.  That gene affects something in the retina.  Even human albinos are likely to lose their eyesight.

Also, my Leo has pretty regular teeth issues.  My vet thinks his jaw is misaligned and likely congenital.  Therefore there is nothing I can do about his teeth as they likely will require filing & trimmings.  The best I can do for him is to give him lots of crunchy variety & try to get him to eat as much hay as I can. 

When we first identified teeth problems, he was going in about every 3-5 months for trims & files.  All required anesthetic since they were his back molars and he would not cooperate otherwise.  However, his last big tx was almost 1 yr ago.  I monitor his behaviors & look for facial suggestions of teeth probs (dried saliva on the chin, drippy eyes, not eating as much).  So I feel its more managable than I originally thought. 

Good Luck & best wishes on your bun’s upcoming procedure.

[Bat-E]

Thank you all for your good wishes. Harri had her teeth done this morning. The vet told me that one of her back molars had grown crooked and was pushing up into her gum. He has filled them all down well and hopes that in future this particular one will grow back straight. He says he will probably need to take another look in about 5 months – or sooner if I’m concerned.
He also said he cleaned out her ears which were bunged up with wax, so she should hear better too!
And her bum was cleaned too – she has an on-going discharge from the glands by her anus, which I have been cleaning weekly.
She is quite dozy this evening, as was expected, but she has eaten somer parsley I see, which I’m vrey pleased about!
The vet has given me a feeder siringe of pro-biotic stuff she has to have 3 times a day for the next 2 days and he said that it is now recommended to give bunnies a little pineapple juice about once a week to help with their digestion. I’d not heard of that!
As to her blindness, as a pretty much total indoor bun, who can go into dark places if she chooses, I am not too worried about her loosing sight in both eyes. I had a blind house guinea pig for nearly 7 years and he coped well, so I’m sure she will too. Good to know there are other to chat to if I do have worries though!

Bat-E – relieved mum of Harri-bun!

[skunklionshow]

I’m so glad Harri is doing well…..and that you are too!

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