Eye issues - cataract & thymoma-like white of eye shows when eating

Can anyone please help? Apologies for the length.
On Tuesday evening I noticed that the third eyelid had become visible in both of Milly's eyes. (a dwarf lop unknown age but 6+). I've never seen it before and as Milly is a dental bunny I live in fear of her teeth's roots growing into her head. I took her to the vets on Wednesday and to be honest I felt as though the vet thought I was ridiculous for mentionning it. Milly had slowed with her eating and it was several months since her last dental so Milly had a dental- molars are her problem and I asked for a jaw and skull x-ray. The xrays show nothing to explain Milly's eyes.
On Thursday evening I noticed that when Milly ate, the white of her eyes become visible in the corner of her eyes. I've had a thymoma bunny (Rupert who was Milly's husbun) and Milly's eyes look like Rupert's did when he ate. Her eyes do not buldge.
I took Milly back to the vet on Friday and insisted on chest and abdomen x-rays. Everywhere looked completely normal apart from a dark area my vet said is gas in Milly's tummy. There was nothing odd in her chest. No thymoma that I could see. My vet says there could be a very, very small thymoma but I don't think that's right. My understanding is that the reason the eyes bulge in a bunny with a thymoma is that the thymoma is huge and is growing upwards thereby putting pressure on the eyes.
Milly also has a cataract on her right eye which is the worst eye. It came from nowhere. Whilst peering at her eyes on Wednesday morning I noticed her eye was very cloudy.
Milly's not herself. Her eyes both look very dark with an obvious third eyelid. She's not eating much at the mo but is having Cisipride and metacam for her gassy tummy. Her husbun is also struggling with his tummy. There's had nothing new and I always wash the veggies thoroughly.
Sorry to be so long, but what is happening to Milly's eyes? I'm really frightened.

Hello

I am really sorry to hear that Milly is having problems. Given that all Xrays were OK I am wondering if the issue with her eyes may be Glaucoma ? Did the Vet mention this as a possibility ?

Do Milly's eyes look like this ?

A bit like the eye on the right but not protruding. I don't think she can see out of her right eye very well/at all. It occurred to me that the third eyelid and white of eye may be a stress response to her loss of sight. But the white at the corner of her eye when she eats really scares me.

bunniesgalore said:

A bit like the eye on the right but not protruding. I don't think she can see out of her right eye very well/at all. It occurred to me that the third eyelid and white of eye may be a stress response to her loss of sight. But the white at the corner of her eye when she eats really scares me.

Click to expand...

Maybe ask the Vet to check her intraocular pressures ?

Could do. There's no head tilt or any other sign of EC so I don't think it is EC related. My other bunny is struggling with stasis so I'd struggle to get him on EC meds at this time. Do you think they should have a course of EC meds and test Milly? Milly is being funny with food too and she's on Cisapride along with Robin. She had two trips to the vets last week with a dental and two lots of x-rays. She has regular dentals and the vet really gets her down. I can get the EC meds without needing to take Milly but not the intraocular pressure or bloods for EC. I'm in that awful position when I know stress is making things worse and not knowing what to do.

bunniesgalore said:

Could do. There's no head tilt or any other sign of EC so I don't think it is EC related. My other bunny is struggling with stasis so I'd struggle to get him on EC meds at this time. Do you think they should have a course of EC meds and test Milly? Milly is being funny with food too and she's on Cisapride along with Robin. She had two trips to the vets last week with a dental and two lots of x-rays. She has regular dentals and the vet really gets her down. I can get the EC meds without needing to take Milly but not the intraocular pressure or bloods for EC. I'm in that awful position when I know stress is making things worse and not knowing what to do.

Click to expand...

What makes you think EC may be an issue ? The possible cataract ? I am assuming she has had 2 GAs for the Xrays ? That alone would be enough to significantly effect gut motility.

Have you noticed her drinking a lot more recently ? Has she had a recent blood test to check her major organ function, especially her kidneys ?

With regards to the Panacur, I am not sure that giving it would be of any benefit. But if you feel it would then I'd call the Vet tomorrow just to confirm with him/her that it is OK to do so.

The head and jaw x-rays were taken whilst Milly was under for her dental, but she was very bright when I picked her up approx 2 hours after leaving her for her dental so she had a low dose of anesthesia. On Friday the chest and abdomen x-rays were taken while she was conscious. I don't think EC as she as no signs, but it's mentioned frequently when I research cataracts. I've experience of EC and Milly shows no signs. I was convinced it was a thymoma hence having x-rays, but there really wasn't anything amiss. I won't ask for EC meds. I really don't think they're necessary and it would be more handling and upset for the buns. Milly has been having metacam for her tummy so I think the white of her eyes showing is unlikely to be a pain response in my non-vet view. I'm just scared.

bunniesgalore said:

The head and jaw x-rays were taken whilst Milly was under for her dental, but she was very bright when I picked her up approx 2 hours after leaving her for her dental so she had a low dose of anesthesia. On Friday the chest and abdomen x-rays were taken while she was conscious. I don't think EC as she as no signs, but it's mentioned frequently when I research cataracts. I've experience of EC and Milly shows no signs. I was convinced it was a thymoma hence having x-rays, but there really wasn't anything amiss. I won't ask for EC meds. I really don't think they're necessary and it would be more handling and upset for the buns. Milly has been having metacam for her tummy so I think the white of her eyes showing is unlikely to be a pain response in my non-vet view. I'm just scared.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't associate cataracts with E.C. I would think of something eye related but different - i.e. Phacoclastic Uveitis, which my buns have had in the past. This is different altogether from cataracts.

It seems you are worrying a lot, and perhaps not getting the expertise and reassurance you would expect from your vet? I may be wrong about this of course.

Would it help to get a second opinion from a specialist, and have all the X-rays and diagnostics sent over? It might take the pressure of diagnosing off your shoulders, and put it back in the hands of the experts ..... Just a thought?

bunniesgalore said:

The head and jaw x-rays were taken whilst Milly was under for her dental, but she was very bright when I picked her up approx 2 hours after leaving her for her dental so she had a low dose of anesthesia. On Friday the chest and abdomen x-rays were taken while she was conscious. I don't think EC as she as no signs, but it's mentioned frequently when I research cataracts. I've experience of EC and Milly shows no signs. I was convinced it was a thymoma hence having x-rays, but there really wasn't anything amiss. I won't ask for EC meds. I really don't think they're necessary and it would be more handling and upset for the buns. Milly has been having metacam for her tummy so I think the white of her eyes showing is unlikely to be a pain response in my non-vet view. I'm just scared.

Click to expand...

I agree that giving Panacur may not be of any benefit at the moment. As you can see from here :

'Ocular lesions are usually unilateral and are seen as post-natal infections:

Iridial abscess (B609.2.w2)
Cataract (B600.11.w11, B601.12.w12, B609.2.w2, J354.5.w1, J516.60.w1)
See: Cataracts in Lagomorphs
Lens rupture (B609.2.w2)
Hypopyon (B609.2.w2)
Uveitis (including aqueous flare, hyphema, mydriasis) (B600.11.w11, B601.12.w12, B609.2.w2, J354.5.w1, J541.3.w1, J541.7.w1)
Not common. (V.w133)
Photophobia (B609.2.w2)
Very rare. (V.w133)
Often presented to the clinician due to the owner noting a white mass in the eye, in the absence of any signs of discomfort or inflammation. (J541.3.w1)'


Source: http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Parasitic/Encephalitozoonosis.htm

one of the ocular effects of EC may be cataract formation, but EC is certainly not the only cause. Perhaps see how Milly gets on over the next day or so and if no change then maybe have another word with your Vet. It is stressful when we notice a possible problem with one of our Rabbits and we do not know the actual cause. So I completely understand your anxiety.

How are things today, Bunniesgalore?

I had a little bunny who had protruding eyes and a hacking cough, her xray showed an enlarged heart with fluid around it. I know your vet says they can't see anything. But Opera was treated successfully with half a Fortekor every day for four years. we lost her aged 10years when her heart finally gave up. She had a very happy life whilst having the treatment. It seems strange that your vet can't really find anything. I hope Milly gets a diagnosis and gets better soon.