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Old rabbit's cataracts seem to be getting worse

Pan

New Kit
My poor little old man rabbit (dwarf lop) developed cataracts at about age 6, which then quickly became glaucoma which was treated at great expense by the most useless eye-specialist you could possibly imagine, but that's another story, it at least stopped the glaucoma from getting any worse.
Now he's 7 and perfectly happy although he can barely see at all, but he doesn't let that bother him (aren't rabbit's wonderful?), but recently it seems to me like his cataracts have grown more cloudy than they used to be, and I don't think he can see at all from his still swollen glaucoma eye.
He's eating and playing and everything just as normal, it certainly doesn't seem like he's in pain (or at least any more pain than he's used to with his swollen eye).
My question is, should I take him to the vets? He's always been rather bumbling and confused even since he was little, and particularly as he can't see pretty much at all it's distressed him so much to move him or pick him up, I don't want to have to put him through an unnecessary vet visit when they already know he has cataracts and that eye is pretty much a goner anyway.
 
My poor little old man rabbit (dwarf lop) developed cataracts at about age 6, which then quickly became glaucoma which was treated at great expense by the most useless eye-specialist you could possibly imagine, but that's another story, it at least stopped the glaucoma from getting any worse.
Now he's 7 and perfectly happy although he can barely see at all, but he doesn't let that bother him (aren't rabbit's wonderful?), but recently it seems to me like his cataracts have grown more cloudy than they used to be, and I don't think he can see at all from his still swollen glaucoma eye.
He's eating and playing and everything just as normal, it certainly doesn't seem like he's in pain (or at least any more pain than he's used to with his swollen eye).
My question is, should I take him to the vets? He's always been rather bumbling and confused even since he was little, and particularly as he can't see pretty much at all it's distressed him so much to move him or pick him up, I don't want to have to put him through an unnecessary vet visit when they already know he has cataracts and that eye is pretty much a goner anyway.

Hello

Personally I would take your Rabbit to a Vet as the Glaucoma may have progressed and additional treatment may now be required. Did the original Vet suggest any possible cause of the Cataracts ?

These links may be useful to read :

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Eye_diseases/Disorder/Cat/Cat_en.htm

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

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id...onepage&q=cataract surgery in rabbits&f=false
 
Thank you, yes, you're probably right. Any changes are best to get checked out I suppose, even if the rabbit's behaviour is no different to normal.
 
I'm sorry to hear your little man has glaucoma :( I had a bun with glaucoma too. Is your wee bun still on eye drops for his glaucoma to keep the pressure down ? My buns eye was swollen too. He may need pain relief as well as the pressure can be painful. If u could find another eye specialist I would think about getting his eye pressures checked just to see how things are.
 
I'm sorry to hear your little man has glaucoma :( I had a bun with glaucoma too. Is your wee bun still on eye drops for his glaucoma to keep the pressure down ? My buns eye was swollen too. He may need pain relief as well as the pressure can be painful. If u could find another eye specialist I would think about getting his eye pressures checked just to see how things are.


Nickybunny has given very good advice :D She has lots of experience and I agree with her about getting the pressures checked.

There is no substitute for being seen by a proper eye specialist (as opposed to a vet sending photos/reports etc to a specialist). I don't find it costs more and it's worth it's weight in gold.

Good luck xx
 
You were right, thank you for giving me a push. Seems like it has made his glaucoma worse and he's back on eye drops and oral supplements.
Thanks again.
 
It seems like his stabilised glaucoma has started up again, so he's back on eye drops and pain relieving oral supplements. Fortunately he's always been very good at taking medicine, it would be an absolute nightmare with my other rabbit!
I'll see what the vet thinks, apparently he could tell the pressure was high just by feeling around the eye (though I'm not sure how much of that would be the normal elevated pressure, seeing as one eye has been like twice the size of the other for a year since he first got glaucoma).
Thank you for your advice.
 
Well it depends if the eye specialist you see is any good or not, the last one my rabbit went to was rather useless! But I'll see what the vet thinks, if there's any chance it might help my rabbit then I don't really care about the cost :)
Thank you for your advice.
 
Just bumping this for Pan - the member's posts had been moderated (sorry Pan, sometimes the forum has a little hiccup) and I've only just approved so didn't want people to miss it..... :wave:
 
Just bumping this for Pan - the member's posts had been moderated (sorry Pan, sometimes the forum has a little hiccup) and I've only just approved so didn't want people to miss it..... :wave:

I have absolutely no idea what's going on now !
 
Well it depends if the eye specialist you see is any good or not, the last one my rabbit went to was rather useless! But I'll see what the vet thinks, if there's any chance it might help my rabbit then I don't really care about the cost :)
Thank you for your advice.


that's OK ..

I hope you manage to see someone good. I saw an ace ophthalmologist so I was hoping all were like her :D
 
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