• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

Dry Eye Syndrome in rabbits?

T

tracey_p

Young Bun
My foster rabbit Rachel has just been diagnosed with 'dry eye' (she has zero tear proction in both eyes)- has anyone had to deal with this is their own rabbits? The vet is the most knowledgable in my area and he has never come across it. She has just started a course of 'Maxitrol' drops 4 times a day and hopefully this will help her poor little eyes.
Thanks,
Tracey
 
Poor bunny - I have the human version and its really sore - I have to use false teardrops and they feel fab!
 
you can use natural tear drop on the bunny's eyes, as many times as you want, it's perfectly okay to drop it on his eyes. It does not solve the problem, but the moisture makes their eyes more comfy.

I have use it before on Bernie when there is a piece of fur stuck on his eyes. I drop enough eye drop for it to flush the fur off his eyes.

The brand name I use is called Allergan Refresh Celluvisc, there is no preservative in the substance.
 
The reason I asked about the colouring is that some spotted Rabbits have been found to have a higher risk of a condition called Dysautonomia. This generally presents with gut problems, but another symptom can be 'dry eyes'.


Also, I wonder if Treponematosis (Rabbit Syphillis) can also effect the eyes :?
The Bun doesnt have any scabs on her nose/lips or genitals does she ?
 
Hi Tracey,
I'm new here and live in Amsterdam. This is the link of a vet who has done special treatments for 'drye eyes' or 'KCS': http://www.dierenkliniekwilhelminapark.nl/dierinfo/konijn/kcs.html

The pictures are a little frightening and I know it's all in Dutch, but the drug they finally used is called Optimmune Canis (originally for dogs, but okay to use with rabbits) and it worked. If you want me to translate specific parts of the website, mail me directly. Good luck!
Els
 
Thanks Jane-No scabs on lips, nose or genitals, she does however have a very sensitive stomach. Will look into both diseases.
 
Elsewhere- Yes, I have seen the Optimunne research- I am veterinary nurse and attended a talk last year concerning their research. She is doing ok on he current treatment but if it doesnt improve then we will try Optimunne.
 
tracey_p said:
Thanks Jane-No scabs on lips, nose or genitals, she does however have a very sensitive stomach. Will look into both diseases.
Click to expand...

Dysautonomia- From an article by Anna Meredith MA, VetMB, CertLAS, DzooMed, RCVS, Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.

Dysautonomia in rabbits has been reported, causing
caecal impaction, anorexia, depression and death in
weanlings. Mesenteric autonomic ganglia showed
chromatolysis-like degenerative changes and neuronal
vacuolation, similar to the picture in equine grass
sickness. Clinical signs include reduced appetite,
bilateral mydriasis, dryness of mucous membranes
and conjunctiva, loss of anal tone, bradycardia, urinary
incontinence, proprioceptive defects, caecal impaction
and abdominal bloat. Response to supportive treatment
is generally poor.
 
And here's a slightly different, shorter definition from BSAVA Rabbit Medicine and Surgery:

Under Neurological disorders of GI tract--Dysautonomia occurs in rabbits affecting the GI tract and is associated w/ mucoid enteropahty and caecal impaction. The condition affects the autonomic nervous sys. w/ degeneration of neurons in the autonomic ganglia. There is a resultant loss of parasympathetic and sympathetic function.
 
One of my rabbits had a dry eye, but only on one side. His problem was however caused by an injury to his main facial nerve that caused one side of his face to be paralised and hence he wasn't able to blink in that eye. Cheap artificial tear drops from the chemist did the trick though and he never had any problems.

Vera
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

DemiS
Weepy Eye - What do savvy vets typically do?
Replies
9
Views
1K
InspectorMorse
InspectorMorse
InspectorMorse
Jellycat Bashful Bunnies- A Thread About Brachycephlic Rabbits
Replies
5
Views
274
tulsi
tulsi
keletkezes
Chibbs has an eye issue
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
keletkezes
keletkezes
Back
Top