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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.
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Is my rabbit blind?
- Thread starter theshock
- Start date
*lily*
Wise Old Thumper
When I took him for his Myxo jab, I voiced my concerns to the vet. He tested the eyes by shining a bright torch in them. His pupils showed no reaction whatsoever to the light.
The vet thinks Louie has no sight in either eye and that, as the eyes themselves look completely normal, then it is something he was born with and is to do with the eyes not receiving messages from the brain.
*lily*
Wise Old Thumper
Poor Buns
Does Louie still act like a normal bun though lily? Is he able to hop / binky around etc?
Hell yes :lol::lol: He doesn't jump up on things because he doesn't realise he can and he sometimes loses his bearings and ends up bashing into things.
He races round loads and does tons of binkies though the steps into the garden sometimes trip him up!
*lily*
Wise Old Thumper
that is just so adorable! i never realised a blind bun could live such a normal life!
I suppose that it's easier for Louie as he has never known any difference. Probably harder if they can see and then go blind
*lily*
Wise Old Thumper
I never knew that! Aw bless Louie. It obviously doesn't effect your cheeky boy though
The worst thing is how easily he startles, you have to start talking to him BEFORE you enter the room where he is as he tends to go into panic mode and knock everything flying racing around terrified.
His hearing is soooo good though, he can hear you rattling the carrot crunchers from miles away! :lol:
*lily*
Wise Old Thumper
Awful isn't it, it's just their blind panic at not knowing who or what is going into the room
It makes me sad as they must get so scared when they can't see what's going on.rngpwelfare
Mama Doe
Rabbits don't have a blink reflex like us so you can touch the eye ball before you get a reaction. This is why you often find them with fur stuck to the eyeball and it's not bothering them, where if it was you or me your eye would be watering and hurt a lot.
So don't just assume that your rabbit is blind get it properly checked out when your next at the vets like Lily and Amy have done.
I feel very relieved. We don't have many vets who can take care of rabbits around here. I'm planning on going out of city next week to meet a vet.
*lily*
Wise Old Thumper
Aww there's no need to feel sorry for him, he has a full and happy life!
Good luck at the vets
:wave:They are blind for a short distance immediately to the front & have a very narrow range of 3D vision. They have a large range of 2D vision almost right behind them & above, but it mainly detects movement. They can't see what they are eating :shock: They rely heavily on smell (it's how they identify us as individuals) & of course hearing. My bun isn't blind. He relies a lot on an internal map, of where furniture is. He gets quite cross if I move it, or put something new on the floor.
I even wore a pair of "rabbit trousers" for far too long at first so he got used to my smell. I don't use perfumes in any form. I think if you concentrate on sound & smell & not moving things round your bun will soon feel secure with you.
marie_kubiak
Alpha Buck
So, don't panic that your rabbit doesn't respond, this is seen in normal rabbits from time to time but certainly take them for a complete evaluation at the vet to make sure there are no problems with his visual axis.
