Henry

Hello everyone

This is my first posting so please be gentle with me!!

I took my 6 month old bunny to the vets today as I had noticed since about Tuesday that his eyes looked a bit red. I have been bathing with salt water. Anyway firstly the vet said I shouldn't feed him ANY dried food and just feed him fresh fruit and vegetables.

She then said eye problems are generally caused by two things - teeth problems or a symptom of Myxomatosis. I asked if his teeth looked ok and she said that she wouldn't be able to see his back teeth without knocking him out first. She then said it could be a symptom of Myxomatosis. His eyes are sore and not weepy at all. I have only had him for about 3/4 weeks now and I got him from a Breeder registered with the BRC. She has basically given me eye drops and said to keep an eye on him over the weekend for any changes in symptoms such as not eating, not pooing, eyes bulging, etc. I have contacted the breeder to see if he actually has been vaccinated. Henry is a house rabbit so spends the majority of his life indoors and goes outdoors only to go in his run.

I am really really upset at the prospect that he may have contracted Myxomatosis. I just wanted to ask your opinions really. I thought maybe he had been in a draught outside in his run or have an allergy to his shavings I didn't expect her to tell me that.

Henry is fed fresh fruit and veg daily and only eats premium hay which has dandelions in it and he is cleaned out 2/3 times a week. I feel as though the vet was criticising my care of him to be honest.

Many Thanks
sorry to ramble
Kerry x

im sorry i have no advice.. but i really hope he will be ok

i think you would probably get more of a response in the health section, im not sure many people venture into this part of the forum (i dont usually but im bored tonight)

sending loads and loads of vibes xxxx

IHiya, Welcome to the forum :wave:

Is the vet a rabbit specialist?? It seems funny she couldnt look at his teeth :? Normally the vets try and check as best as they can. Also ive not heard that the only reason for eye problems is myxi or teeth :? Buns can get simple eye infections I would post your location also and someone may be able to advise of a better vet near you

Is it just his eyes that are sore? could you take a picture at all? Sorry to be rude, but are his 'bits' swollen??

If he was vaccinated by the breeder, she/he should have given you a vaccination card I really hope it isnt Myxi

Hopefully he just had an eye infection and it will clear up. Got everything crossed for him xXx

Hello!
Your vet doesn't sound very rabbit savvy. You don't need to knock out a rabbit to look at their back teeth. Not unless the rabbit is a real minx.
Hopefully someone will be able to recommend a better vet in your area.
Helen xx

She checked his front teeth but she said she couldn't get a good look at his back teeth. My bun is soooo tame and friendly he was letting her poke and prod him. His back end isn't sore, she checked all of that. Should I keep giving him pellets and his veggies as I have been or do any of you just feed veggies, etc?

He's not as lively as usual but that is the only other symptom. Its his bottom and top eye lid that are sore. Will try and get a pic but think Henry is bit fed up with being picked up today tho.

I thought he had maybe caught a draught in his eye when outside or had a reaction to his sawdust or something.

The vet even went out the room to phone another vet. She said she keeps rabbits herself but why jump to the conclusion that its either teeth or Myxo and not just an eye infection?! Stupid woman. Its really upset me.

I live in the South West near Yeovil.

Many Thanks again for your reassurance.

Hiya, i would doubt he would have been vacced by the breeder, as it costs extra, and most don't vaccinate their own buns due to the possibility of the vacc making the buns infertile.

Hope it is not mxyi. x

you mentioned that you use sawdust as bedding, is that right? it could be the dust being an irritant to the eye. i know ive been told not to use any sort of wood shavings so use newspaper and hay in a litter tray.

hope bunny is better soon xx