Timmy's eye ulcers U/D 23/05 back from vet

Thought I would record Timmy's treatment to date, in the hope that it may help somebun else in the future.

Timmy came to me with a corneal ulcer in both eyes. He has had both eyes thoroughly examined whilst under GA, has had swabs taken which came back clear, his tear ducts flushed, his third eyelid checked, his eyes checked for eyelashes irritating them, and both debrided.

He was on Tiacil drops, which made no difference, and was changed to Fucithalmic. He has also been on LacriLube for some weeks, as the thought was that it was dry eye. They made some serum drops for him from his blood, but he struggled with them both times he was on them as they hurt his eyes so much.

My vet contacted D1ck Vets, who confirmed it sounded like dry eye, and suggested continuing the treatment with LacriLube.

Timmy had been neutered at the first op, and his wound got slightly infected so he needed an antibiotic injection. Shortly after this, his eye ulcers started to heal slightly, so he was given antibiotics to take orally in the hope that they would help.

One ulcer eventually got to about 90% healed, and the other was healing.

Unfortunately, within a matter of days, they had both returned, possibly worse than before. He went back on the Fucithalmic, in case this was helping, and was still on the LacriLube.

Although he was on Meloxidyl, he was obviously struggling with the pain about 2 hours before he was due his next lot. My vet agreed to him having a dose every 20 hours, at least for a short time, and this has made a huge difference to him. He is managing to hold his eyes open more, and is sometimes a bit cheeky!

My vet consulted with an eye specialist that they use, and they agreed that it appeared to be dry eye, and recommended some new eye drops, Clinitas Soothe, which are used for dry eye but work on the eye in a different way than LacriLube.

Timmy started them last night, and is getting a drop in each eye 4 times a day. So far he is doing fine on them, in that they don't appear to hurt his eyes, although being liquid they are hard to put in as they tend to just run out again.

I have been very lucky with my vet. They arranged for me to pay up his op, and treated him for a month at cost only (no appointment fee). They have been happy to help me find the cheapest way of getting his medicines, and even managed to get some of the new drops for free, so we can see if they will help Timmy.

I don't expect anyone will have read this far :lol:, but it may help someone at some point. I will update if there is any difference to him.

Pity there are 18 views and no vibes for him

Anyway, one ulcer was getting a bit better again, but has reappeared today just as bad .

If there is anything that anyone can suggest is missing from his treatment, please can you add it? As it stands, if the ulcers continue he will at some point lose at least one eye .

Ah poor wee Timmy. Glad he is doing ok, though it is not so good it keeps recurring.

My Summer has ulcers under her cornea's. One ruptured and lead to eye removal. The other has remained much the same over the past year.

Hope Timmy's treatment continues to go well

Hi Weedug .. I don't often come on here ... I really ought to more often !!

Interesting to hear about your bunny. Luna was diagnosed with an ulcer on the eye the other day and have been using Fucithalmic ointment. She's fine otherwise, eating well and drinking ...

It came on all of a sudden .. one day she was fine, then the other, her eye was like this:



The white bit in her eye that looks like a drop of paint !

Glad Timmy is doing ok .. but, blimey you have been through a lot.

Poor wee guy. Sorry I have non experience of this but hope it improves.

Thanks for the replies :wave:.

Can you remember what treatment Summer has had, ShazzaBunny?

Saffy1999, I hope Luna gets better soon. Timmy is on his third tube of Fucithalmic drops now. Is she getting pain relief?

Timmy's main problem has been the pain. He at last seems more comfortable with the painkillers every 20 hours.

I've been so sad today because the ulcer has reappeared. They just start to get better, and things are looking up, when the ulcer returns.

I can't suggest anything that your vets haven't already, other than maybe panacur/lapizole just incase there is e.c. involvement, but just wanted to send lots of vibes, as corneal ulcers are very nasty xx

Hmm .. no she's not getting pain relief. I asked the vet if she were in pain and she said she was showing no signs ..

lilbun said:

I can't suggest anything that your vets haven't already, other than maybe panacur/lapizole just incase there is e.c. involvement, but just wanted to send lots of vibes, as corneal ulcers are very nasty xx

Click to expand...

Thank you, I'll suggest it on the next visit :wave:

The new ulcer is no worse today, thankfully. Poor soul has drops 6 times a day just now. At least he is still looking happier, although maybe not quite so comfortable today. He's only stopped eating once a few weeks ago.

I wish I knew why the ulcers heal (although not totally) and reappear so quickly, and always in the same place.

Saffy1999 said:

Hmm .. no she's not getting pain relief. I asked the vet if she were in pain and she said she was showing no signs ..

Click to expand...

Timmy keeps his eyes closed for a lot of the time, and is obviously down (not playing, not very active, and just doesn't act like a bun should). When one ulcer is almost healed, or on the new dose of pain relief, he is totally different .

Does Luna keep her eyes open, and act normally?

How is Timmy?

This is Summer's thread, because her ulcers were under the cornea's the advice wasnt overly applicable to her, but it may be of use to you?

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=166459&highlight=ulcers+cornea

ShazzaBunny said:

How is Timmy?

This is Summer's thread, because her ulcers were under the cornea's the advice wasnt overly applicable to her, but it may be of use to you?

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=166459&highlight=ulcers+cornea

Click to expand...

Thank you so much for asking about Timmy. It seems that both his ulcers are slightly better . I'm trying not to get too excited as this has happened before and they just return.

Right now he is a happy boy though . He is getting drops 6 times a day just now, and his painkillers every 20 hours. I don't want to change anything until there is more improvement, and the vet agrees.

Thanks for the link to Summer's thread. I had read it before many times, trying to find something to help Timmy .

It's very difficult to know what is best.

To be honest, i am not using anything on Summer's remaining eye at the moment, mainly because nothing either makes it any better or worse.

Keeping Timmy in my thoughts glad he is doing better just now, long may it continue.

If this treatment doesn't help, I've no idea what will be next. I do feel that at some point he will lose one or both eyes as either the ulcers will rupture, or the pain will get too much.

Is Summer in much pain? And do you have any idea how long she has had the ulcer for?

Timmy has been in my thoughts since you told me about his sad story about his eyes.

I really hope he gets better!

Would love to pop along one day to see your gang!

She has never shown any signs of pain. The reason her eye was removed was because it ruptured, but even then she shown no signs of pain, she was neither up nor down with it. She has probably had it for around 3 years, maybe slightly more. Since before she came to me anyway.

She is blind in her remaining eye and i believe the EC left her with a bit of brain damage. She just isn't all there its hard to explain. Summer really doesnt care less, nothing phases her. If you pick her up for cuddles she falls asleep almost instantly, no matter who you are .

I hope Timmy is the same as Summer and doesnt let this get to him.

thenamesJT said:

Timmy has been in my thoughts since you told me about his sad story about his eyes.

I really hope he gets better!

Would love to pop along one day to see your gang!

Click to expand...

Thanks for thinking about him . He is such a brave boy .

You can visit whenever you want!

ShazzaBunny said:

She has never shown any signs of pain. The reason her eye was removed was because it ruptured, but even then she shown no signs of pain, she was neither up nor down with it. She has probably had it for around 3 years, maybe slightly more. Since before she came to me anyway.

She is blind in her remaining eye and i believe the EC left her with a bit of brain damage. She just isn't all there its hard to explain. Summer really doesnt care less, nothing phases her. If you pick her up for cuddles she falls asleep almost instantly, no matter who you are .

I hope Timmy is the same as Summer and doesnt let this get to him.

Click to expand...

Summer sounds lovely, and a real softie .

Timmy is coping better than he was. He was a nervous boy when I first got him, but he is much calmer now. Although in pain, he has only stopped eating the once. Even the vet was surprised at him after all they have done to him! It's almost as if Timmy knows I am trying to help him.

If your ever passing by Falkirk way, give me a shout you can come and meet her .

What a shame Timmy is in discomfort. Im sure he does know your helping him though, and im sure he trusts you so much now, bless him.

ShazzaBunny said:

If your ever passing by Falkirk way, give me a shout you can come and meet her .

What a shame Timmy is in discomfort. Im sure he does know your helping him though, and im sure he trusts you so much now, bless him.

Click to expand...

Aww I'll do that, it would be lovely!

Just had to say, and chance fate, that Timmy hasn't been to the vet for a WHOLE WEEK!!!!