Watering Eye

Honeylovesthumper · Oct 21, 2016

My mini lop has been getting a teary eye on and off for the last two weeks. When I first noticed, I cleaned it up with saline solution and cotton wool pads and the next day it was fine again (so I cancelled the vets appointment I had booked). A week later it came back so I took him to the vets. There is no infection, pus or redness, just a little watering. he still has a very healthy appetite. The vet checked his eye and said it was fine. There are very small spurs on his teeth, but she said they shouldn't be causing a problem yet. She gave me some loxicom to give to him for 5 days and see if the anti inflammatory action stopped the tears - if it did, it is likely the teeth. However, after 5 days, his eye is still tearing up. So it's probably not his teeth.

Does anyone have any idea on what it could be, or how to treat the eye?

Many thanks

Celestine is approx 4 yo mini lop male fully vaccinated including RHD2

Toast&Marmalade · Oct 21, 2016

I'm afraid it could be the very beginnings of myxomatosis, that's how my Marmalade's started

x

Jack's-Jane · Oct 21, 2016

Honeylovesthumper said:
My mini lop has been getting a teary eye on and off for the last two weeks. When I first noticed, I cleaned it up with saline solution and cotton wool pads and the next day it was fine again (so I cancelled the vets appointment I had booked). A week later it came back so I took him to the vets. There is no infection, pus or redness, just a little watering. he still has a very healthy appetite. The vet checked his eye and said it was fine. There are very small spurs on his teeth, but she said they shouldn't be causing a problem yet. She gave me some loxicom to give to him for 5 days and see if the anti inflammatory action stopped the tears - if it did, it is likely the teeth. However, after 5 days, his eye is still tearing up. So it's probably not his teeth.

Does anyone have any idea on what it could be, or how to treat the eye?

Many thanks

Celestine is approx 4 yo mini lop male fully vaccinated including RHD2

It could be that the nasolacrimal duct (tear duct) is blocked. Did the Vet mention this ? Loxicom will only help reduce soft tissue inflammation, if the duct is being obstructed by an elongated tooth root then Loxicom wont make much difference. The only way to assess tooth roots is to take skull radiographs. If your Vet has noted some spurs on the molar crowns then tooth root issues are a possibility (but not a certainty)

MightyMax · Oct 21, 2016

Honeylovesthumper said:
My mini lop has been getting a teary eye on and off for the last two weeks. When I first noticed, I cleaned it up with saline solution and cotton wool pads and the next day it was fine again (so I cancelled the vets appointment I had booked). A week later it came back so I took him to the vets. There is no infection, pus or redness, just a little watering. he still has a very healthy appetite. The vet checked his eye and said it was fine. There are very small spurs on his teeth, but she said they shouldn't be causing a problem yet. She gave me some loxicom to give to him for 5 days and see if the anti inflammatory action stopped the tears - if it did, it is likely the teeth. However, after 5 days, his eye is still tearing up. So it's probably not his teeth.

Does anyone have any idea on what it could be, or how to treat the eye?

Many thanks

Celestine is approx 4 yo mini lop male fully vaccinated including RHD2

Hi there

What a lovely name, Celestine, and quite unique

It sounds to me as if it's a blocked tear duct, know as Dacrocystitis :

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/DacrocystitisRabbit.htm

Your vet can usually flush the tear duct without sedation, and sometimes it fixes the problem and sometimes it can recur. It may be due to elongated tooth roots, but even if it is, there is nothing to be done about the tooth roots and the watery eye has to be managed. A partner rabbit often cleans ups the eye

Loxicom will not fix the problem, but sometimes eye drops are needed to prevent any infection.

I would keep bathing it in sterile saline, as you have been doing - keeping it clean is the main thing. Your vet will decide at what point it's worth flushing it.

Good luck xx

Honeylovesthumper · Oct 21, 2016

Oh dear

I don't entirely trust this vet, she didn't mention anything about the tear duct. Said just to keep it dry and watch his appetite for signs his teeth are hurting. She gave me the loxicom when I pushed for another solution. There is another vet I have been to before with my late rabbit, who is amazing. Given what you guys have said I think I'll take him there. Thanks for your input xx

MightyMax · Oct 21, 2016

Honeylovesthumper said:
Oh dear I don't entirely trust this vet, she didn't mention anything about the tear duct. Said just to keep it dry and watch his appetite for signs his teeth are hurting. She gave me the loxicom when I pushed for another solution. There is another vet I have been to before with my late rabbit, who is amazing. Given what you guys have said I think I'll take him there. Thanks for your input xx

You're welcome!

You could always post a thread in the Forum to find another vet? Or as you say, go to the vet who you believe to be very good

You don't need referrals or any of that nonsense - just go and get it sorted. Shame is we waste our money on vets who are not rabbit savvy, but I guess they try their best

Watering Eye

Honeylovesthumper

Young Bun

Toast&Marmalade

Young Bun

Jack's-Jane

Wise Old Thumper

MightyMax

Banned

Honeylovesthumper

Young Bun

MightyMax

Banned

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