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Intermittent eye discharge

S

Snowymouse

Young Bun
Hi all, one of my buns occasionally has a big white gloop of stuff at the base of his eye. His eye looks a little inflamed too. I just wipe it away gently with some damp cotton wool and then a few hours later it'll be absolutely fine. He acts normally throughout as well so I'm not sure it bothers him but it's happened a few times (maybe 4 occasions in 2 months) so now I'm wondering why. Last night it was particularly bad and looked a little swollen as well, but again fine a few hours later. Could it just be he gets stuff in his eye when digging into the hay? He likes to burrow. I need to get them off to the vets for their myxo jabs so I'll bring it up then but is there anything else to look out for?
 
Snowymouse said:
Hi all, one of my buns occasionally has a big white gloop of stuff at the base of his eye. His eye looks a little inflamed too. I just wipe it away gently with some damp cotton wool and then a few hours later it'll be absolutely fine. He acts normally throughout as well so I'm not sure it bothers him but it's happened a few times (maybe 4 occasions in 2 months) so now I'm wondering why. Last night it was particularly bad and looked a little swollen as well, but again fine a few hours later. Could it just be he gets stuff in his eye when digging into the hay? He likes to burrow. I need to get them off to the vets for their myxo jabs so I'll bring it up then but is there anything else to look out for?
Click to expand...

It may be that he has a bit of infection/inflammation in the nasolacrimal duct (tear duct). Or sometimes tooth root elongation can cause similar symptoms, an elongated tooth root can press on the nasolacrimal duct so it does not drain properly. Given that his eye can also look swollen and the problem is ongoing I would consult a Vet early next week. It is always best to nip any problem in the bud.

A bit more info here :

http://veterinarymedicinejournal.usamv.ro/pdf/vol.LVIII_4/Art16.pdf

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/DacrocystitisRabbit.htm
 
Snowymouse said:
Hi all, one of my buns occasionally has a big white gloop of stuff at the base of his eye. His eye looks a little inflamed too. I just wipe it away gently with some damp cotton wool and then a few hours later it'll be absolutely fine. He acts normally throughout as well so I'm not sure it bothers him but it's happened a few times (maybe 4 occasions in 2 months) so now I'm wondering why. Last night it was particularly bad and looked a little swollen as well, but again fine a few hours later. Could it just be he gets stuff in his eye when digging into the hay? He likes to burrow. I need to get them off to the vets for their myxo jabs so I'll bring it up then but is there anything else to look out for?
Click to expand...


Hi Snowymouse :wave:

Loads of rabbits have this gloopy stuff, and I had a rabbit that had to have his tear ducts flushed every six weeks for most of his life. Sounds a bit extreme, but my vet does this without anaesthetic, and I also got all the equipment to do this at home myself (though not many owners seem to be keen on doing it!)

It's called dacryocystitis of the nasolacrimal duct.

What you are doing by wiping it away is the best thing. You can also apply a warm compress underneath the eye to help get the gunk out.

You just have to make sure that the fur/skin underneath the eye remains pink and healthy, by keeping it as dry as possible on these occasions

Some info here:

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Eye_diseases/Differential/Runny_eyes.htm
 
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