So what is conjunctivitis in a rabbit? In this guide, we are going to be discussing all you need to know about conjunctivitis in rabbits. Conjunctivitis is a common ailment that affects the eyes of both humans and mammals. It is a condition that causes pink coloration in the white area of the eyeballs. Conjunctivitis causes severe irritation and swelling (gunky eyes) in the eyelids.
Other symptoms of conjunctivitis include itching, red eyes, swollen or gunky eyes, watery discharge, runny nose, and crusting. Conjunctivitis is also highly contagious. It is always best to separate an infected rabbit from the rest of the population to avoid an outbreak.
A trained vet can prescribe simple over-the-counter medication to treat symptoms of conjunctivitis. But when not handled properly, conjunctivitis can result in serious complications that have adverse effects on the eyes. Worse still, your pet bunny stands the risk of going blind from poorly handled or untreated conjunctivitis.
As a pet rabbit owner, you should pay close attention to your rabbit’s vision. They need regular eye checks to ensure their eyes are in perfect working condition.
This is what forms the main focal point of this article. Here, we will be discussing the following topics:
- How do you treat conjunctivitis in rabbits?
- How can I treat my rabbit’s eye infection at home?
- Why is my rabbit’s eye gunky?
- What is the treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis?
Follow along now to learn all you need to about conjunctivitis in rabbits.
How Do You Treat Conjunctivitis in rabbits?
There isn’t one general rule when it comes to the treatment of conjunctivitis in rabbits. All prescribed treatments will be based on the uniqueness of each rabbit. First, you would need to meet to discuss the situation with your vet doctor. Your vet will make his findings as to the exact causes of this ailment in your pet bunny. This will give him some insight on what treatment procedure to commence immediately.
Now, treatment will vary depending on the kind of symptoms your pet bunny is showing. To have a better understanding of how treatments vary from rabbit to rabbit, below are five causes of conjunctivitis and their respective treatments.
What Can Cause Conjunctivitis?
-
Allergies
Allergies are one of the common causes of conjunctivitis in rabbits. A common known cause of irritation is hay dust. Your vet may ask you to move the location of your haystack far away from your rabbit’s cage.
A treatment of neomycin and hydrocortisone ointment will initially be recommended. If this doesn’t work, more advanced treatments will be prescribed for your pet bunny.
-
Bacterial Infection
This is another common cause of conjunctivitis in rabbits. Once this is diagnosed, your vet doctor will recommend some antibiotics to include gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol. Washing of the eyes with a saline solution may also be suggested. The best way to prevent bacterial infection in your pet bunnies is to maintain a safe, clean and hygienic environment.
-
Tooth Problem
Conjunctivitis in rabbits can result from one or more prolonged tooth problems. When tooth issues are left untreated, it can breed harmful bacteria. This results in some of the leading causes of conjunctivitis in rabbits. If this is the case, surgery will be carried out to extract an infected tooth or remove the abscesses. Your doctor may also recommend some medications as follow-up treatment.
-
Genetics
Your vet will check for traces of conjunctivitis in the genetic make-up of your rabbit when making his diagnosis. Depending on the outcome, he may recommend surgery to correct the problem. This is usually a costly medical procedure but can save the eyes of your bunny in the long term.
How Can I Treat My Rabbit’s Eye Infection at Home?
Not all eye infections in rabbits will require a visit to the vet clinic. As a pet bunny owner, you can employ a few home remedies to cure a range of eye infections in your rabbit. In more delicate cases like severe conjunctivitis, you may need to consult your vet to find out the best treatment for your rabbit.
Home treatments come in handy in cases where infections are minimal and without any serious consequences. To prevent or treat rabbit’s eye infection at home, you can follow these simple rules:
- Always inspect your bunny’s eyes from time to time. Check for any form of discharge or red coloration.
- Maintain a healthy diet, rich in fiber and other necessary nutrients which are good for their teeth.
- Ensure their cages are cleaned out regularly. Use dust-free bedding when setting up their home.
- When you suspect your rabbit has some form of eye infection, first wash the eyes with a saline solution.
- Note that, not all eye infections can be treated with home remedies. Always contact a qualified vet when all home treatments fail. Failure to seek urgent medical attention puts your rabbit at risk of serious complications.
Why Is My Rabbit’s Eye Gunky?
Rabbits can develop gunky eyes for many reasons and this is followed almost immediately with a discharge. Gunky eyes are a symptom of underlying infection and should be handled immediately to avoid complications. Sometimes, gunky eyes may not be easily noticeable since rabbits tend to hide ailments from public view. This is because rabbits are prey animals and any sign of injury or weakness leaves them vulnerable to predators.
For a pet rabbit owner, here is an overview of five major causes of gunky eyes in rabbits:
-
Dental Infections
Dental or tooth infections are some of the major causes of gunky eyes. Things like teeth overgrowth can cause inflammation in the tear ducts which leads to gunky eyes.
-
Tear Duct Infections (Dacryocystitis)
Blocked tear ducts from an infection can cause excess fluid to be discharged through the eyes.
-
Respiratory Infection
Respiratory infections are also some of the underlying causes of gunky eyes in rabbits.
-
Injuries
A rabbit can get gunky eyes from fighting with another rabbit. When fight injuries around the face get left untreated, this can cause infection which leads to gunky eyes.
-
Eye Irritation
Grass seeds can cause eye irritation in your pet bunny.
-
Eyelid Problems
The eyelids of a rabbit can develop complications that can result in gunky eyes.
Once you notice any sign of gunky eyes in your pet bunny, contact your vet doctor immediately to diagnose the problem.
Lastly, you can care for a rabbit’s eyes by doing the following:
- Maintain a clean and healthy environment for your pet bunnies.
- Make their surroundings are free of any hazardous objects.
- Meals must be well-prepared and have the right nutrients to maintain a strong immune system capable of fighting off infections and inflammations
- They should avoid going to places that can cause damage to the eye. (example, a car garage, industrial workshop).
- During flu season, wash your rabbit’s eyes with warm salt water to reduce airborne infections.
What is the Treatment for Bacterial Conjunctivitis?
Bacterial conjunctivitis is an ailment that affects the eyes of rabbits. It causes pinkness of the yes and frequent irritations. It is always advised that you visit the vet clinic once a rabbit starts showing symptoms of conjunctivitis.
Nonetheless, you can still treat bacterial conjunctivitis at home using a few homemade or over-the-counter remedies. It is only when these remedies do not work; you can contact a well-trained vet doctor to diagnose the situation.
Secondly, the intensity of the situation should also be a determinant factor on when to seek urgent medical care. Conjunctivitis is usually pink in color, but when the eyes have become red bloodshot, then you should see a vet.
Other signs of severe conjunctivitis in rabbits are:
- Serious pain in your rabbit’s eyes.
- Eye discharge with pus.
- Blurred vision and hazy movement.
- Light sensitivity.
- Weakness of the body.
As treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis, your vet doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics in form of eye drops. These antibiotics quicken the healing process and lower the rabbit’s risk of developing complications. Also, antibiotics limit the spread of the disease to other rabbits in the environment.
After a few days, it will generally improve within a few days and upwards of one to two weeks to heal completely. As always, endeavor to have a chat with your doctor to find out the best and most convenient treatment possible for your pet rabbit.