Blocked tear ducts and sore skin

Bungee has blocked rear ducts. I've spoken to the vet on a few occasions about this. They don't seem overly worried, as it doesn't seem to bother her. I dry her fur out most evenings, but have noticed over the last week that her skin is looking very sore. Is there anything I can put on this or would I be better returning to the vets? I thought about using Sudocrem, but was worried incase she injested it.

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Chester had exactly this (blocked duct & hence sore skin) & it turned out worse than i thought.
Basically the sore attracted flies in the summertime with asscociated flystrike problems.
later, it may've been a tearduct infection that he died from.

it was ongoing for a couple of years before the vets sugested flushing it out, but (i think) due to the time it had been going on it was very difficult to clear by flushing.
i would really suggest trying to get this resolved at as early stage as possible.

edit:
forgot - sudocreme was good for the sore.

clarebear said:

Bungee has blocked rear ducts. I've spoken to the vet on a few occasions about this. They don't seem overly worried, as it doesn't seem to bother her. I dry her fur out most evenings, but have noticed over the last week that her skin is looking very sore. Is there anything I can put on this or would I be better returning to the vets? I thought about using Sudocrem, but was worried incase she injested it.

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Hi there

I've had rabbits with ongoing tear duct issues, and it's often a case of managing them.

The vet really ought to flush it out, at least once anyway, and find out if there's infection in there. Some vets require a rabbit to be sedated for this, but mine never did and in fact I was shown how to do this at home and I have the equipment here. My rabbit had his tear ducts flushed every six weeks.

As MikeK says, that area around the eye is attractive to flies in summer and they can indeed have flystrike around the eyes. But doubtful at this time of year.

Personally I just bathe twice daily with cooled boiled water and a soft cotton pad. Anything applied near the eye has a chance of going into the eye and causing irritation.

Best to tackle the source of the problem - the blocked tear duct.

(And thank you for your good wishes for my sick bunny Clare)

Thank you both.

The vet didn't want to do a flush before unless it was really necessary. However it's definitely got worse over the last couple of weeks and looks sore and is a bit smelly, so worried about an infection. I think I will make an appointment for Bungee this week and just get it checked out.

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clarebear said:

Thank you both.

The vet didn't want to do a flush before unless it was really necessary. However it's definitely got worse over the last couple of weeks and looks sore and is a bit smelly, so worried about an infection. I think I will make an appointment for Bungee this week and just get it checked out.

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Some vets, after flushing the tear duct with saline, will then flush with Baytril

clarebear said:

Thank you both.

The vet didn't want to do a flush before unless it was really necessary. However it's definitely got worse over the last couple of weeks and looks sore and is a bit smelly, so worried about an infection. I think I will make an appointment for Bungee this week and just get it checked out.

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I think that would be the best thing, especially as it sounds as though there is active infection present. Blocked tear ducts can be associated with Dental problems-ie tooth root elongation. If the tooth roots elongate they can occlude the nasolacrimal ducts (tear ducts). This then causes runny eyes and sometimes leads to secondary bacterial infections. To diagnose tooth root elongation skull radiographs are required. It is not possible to diagnose the condition just from looking at the crowns of the teeth within the Rabbit's mouth.



Whilst tooth root elongation cannot be 'cured' there are various things that can be done to manage the condition and minimise it's rate of progression.

Sometimes flushing the tear ducts can help to get an infection under control. But if the primary problem is tooth root related flushing the ducts may have to be done again and again over the Rabbit's lifetime.

The following links contain information which may be helpful to take a look at :

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

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


Nasolacrimal Duct Flushing Technique (Tear Duct flushing)
http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00M...annulation.htm

Thank you Jack's-Jane I will have a read x

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clarebear said:

Thank you both.

The vet didn't want to do a flush before unless it was really necessary. However it's definitely got worse over the last couple of weeks and looks sore and is a bit smelly, so worried about an infection. I think I will make an appointment for Bungee this week and just get it checked out.

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Welcome - good luck at the vets x

clarebear said:

Thank you Jack's-Jane I will have a read x

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That's OK, I hope the Vet can help xx

A little update on Bungee..
We went to see the vet, who has given Bungee a course of eye drops and we have to return in a week for him to check.
He gave her a thorough health check, particularly her eyes. I was very impressed. He said they wouldn't flush her tear ducts unless they really had to. Her skin does seem a little bit better. I think the thing is to just keep it as dry as possible.
Thanks for all your help. X

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clarebear said:

A little update on Bungee..
We went to see the vet, who has given Bungee a course of eye drops and we have to return in a week for him to check.
He gave her a thorough health check, particularly her eyes. I was very impressed. He said they wouldn't flush her tear ducts unless they really had to. Her skin does seem a little bit better. I think the thing is to just keep it as dry as possible.
Thanks for all your help. X

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You're welcome Clare

Yes, keeping skin dry prevents it from degrading x

clarebear said:

A little update on Bungee..
We went to see the vet, who has given Bungee a course of eye drops and we have to return in a week for him to check.
He gave her a thorough health check, particularly her eyes. I was very impressed. He said they wouldn't flush her tear ducts unless they really had to. Her skin does seem a little bit better. I think the thing is to just keep it as dry as possible.
Thanks for all your help. X

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I hope that the treatment helps

Hi there,

I would keep an eye on it (sorry no pun intended!), and keep checking the area around the eye for any small lumps and bumps. As one of mine had a blocked tear duct on and off for a few years with lots of flushing and eye drops, and eventually my Vet and I found the beginnings of an abscess forming just below the eye which had been caused by a elongated tooth root.

Hope Bungee is feeling a little more comfortable since your Vet visit.