Eye drops for my bunny help!!!!!

[Hannahstokesbunmom]

Hi everyone….. I was wondering if anyone can help. I have a 6 year old lop bun who is my pride and joy. Tonight I’ve returned from the vet with yet another tube of isathal 10 mg I go to the vet every two months ( my bun has allergies) her eyes run all year long and after extensive investigation for blocked tear ducts, tooth spur problems etc etc the answer I have is allergies as everything else is fine no tooth problems etc. Each time I go to the vet they check her all over and I go home with the same 3ml of eye drops even with insurance this visit is costing over £50 a time. Are there any other eye drops I can get without a prescription now they have changed the pet prescriptions law? I obviously want it to be safe as I dote on my bunn and want her to have the best life. I dont want to hurt her or cause more damage using human eye drops but there has to be a cheeper way right??? Thankyou to anyone who responds x

 

[Omi]

Hi and welcome. Could you let us know what type of investigations have been done? It would be helpful for members, who have had similar problems, to provide advice.

 

[Hannahstokesbunmom]

Of course, she has had two facial X-rays to see if it’s teeth, she’s had green stuff flushed through her eyes that came straight out of her nose to see if it’s a tear duct tube issues. Apparently it doesn’t come straight out the nose if there is a problem. My exotic vet always say the outcome is allergies it does get worse in the summer months due to pollen, she’s a house bun with access to the outside.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Deleted

 

[InspectorMorse]

Of course, she has had two facial X-rays to see if it’s teeth, she’s had green stuff flushed through her eyes that came straight out of her nose to see if it’s a tear duct tube issues. Apparently it doesn’t come straight out the nose if there is a problem. My exotic vet always say the outcome is allergies it does get worse in the summer months due to pollen, she’s a house bun with access to the outside.

What was the result of the skull radiography ?

Does your Bunny sneeze a lot and have a snotty nose?

Please don’t use any other eye drops without first discussing it with the Vet. Isathal is seldom any help with allergic conditions, it is meant for infective conjunctivitis.

https://meadowsvets.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Isathal-data-sheet.pdf

But there are other treatment options *if* the problem really is allergy related

It is often cheaper to request a prescription for Veterinary medication that is needed on an ongoing basis. Then you can buy the medication online, usually at a fraction of the price. The Vet can give you a prescription with 3 x repeats on it. So it’s just one prescription charge to enable me to buy 3 lots of the medications needed at a cheaper price.

 

[Hannahstokesbunmom]

What was the result of the skull radiography ?

Does your Bunny sneeze a lot and have a snotty nose?

Please don’t use any other eye drops without first discussing it with the Vet. Isathal is seldom any help with allergic conditions, it is meant for infective conjunctivitis.

https://meadowsvets.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Isathal-data-sheet.pdf

But there are other treatment options *if* the problem really is allergy related

It is often cheaper to request a prescription for Veterinary medication that is needed on an ongoing basis. Then you can buy the medication online, usually at a fraction of the price. The Vet can give you a prescription with 3 x repeats on it. So it’s just one prescription charge to enable me to buy 3 lots of the medications needed at a cheaper price.

Hi, X-rays normal no root problem or tooth problems she doesn’t sneeze or have a runny nose. My vet told me yesterday that the law has changed and they can’t give prescriptions so I’ve sent an email to the practice manager asking for further advice as going back every two months for the last five years is stressing my in out and the only drops I have given her so far is what the vet has prescribed and visco tears again which is what the vet told me to do. Just looking for further ideas really. Her eyes don’t bother her in the slightest but I worried there was another cause but having ruled that out I’m abit of a loss as what to do now

 

[InspectorMorse]

Hi, X-rays normal no root problem or tooth problems she doesn’t sneeze or have a runny nose. My vet told me yesterday that the law has changed and they can’t give prescriptions so I’ve sent an email to the practice manager asking for further advice as going back every two months for the last five years is stressing my in out and the only drops I have given her so far is what the vet has prescribed and visco tears again which is what the vet told me to do. Just looking for further ideas really. Her eyes don’t bother her in the slightest but I worried there was another cause but having ruled that out I’m abit of a loss as what to do now

Can you post a clear photo of your Bunny’s eyes, just one eye and as close up and clear as possible. I am NOT a Vet, but I have cared for numerous Rabbits over the last 26 years. During that time I have seen a variety of eye problems so I might be able to offer a few suggestions that you could discuss with your Vet if I could see a clear image of the eye.

 

[Hannahstokesbunmom]

 

[InspectorMorse]

Given that all the Vet has prescribed so far is Isathal which is obviously not helping ( and is unlikely to if the problem is allergy related) then have you discussed a different treatment. One that is more suited to treat allergies ? Have you considered getting a second opinion from an Opthalmic specialist Vet.

Has the current Vet ruled out ‘dry eye’, this link refers to the condition in dogs but it applies to Rabbits too.

Dry eye in dogs

Veterinary ophthalmologists at the Royal Veterinary College offer dog owners information about dry eye (Keratoconjuncitivitis sicca). Without adequate treatment, the cornea is itchy and sore, and will be predisposed to ulceration and infection.

www.rvc.ac.uk

There seems little point in treating an allergy related problem with a medication not really made for the treatment of allergies.

The new rules re Veterinary prescribing of repeat prescriptions

'Under care' - new guidance

www.rcvs.org.uk

New prescribing rules for UK vets - Vet Help Direct

Many of you may be aware that as of 1st September 2023, the rules around vets prescribing medications in the UK have changed. Some of these changes are relatively minor, but others may have a substantial impact on how you see your vet and how often your animals need to be re-checked. The changes...

vethelpdirect.com