The furry, cute, and friendly little friends that we have at home also get sick. That being said, let’s know what red eyes in rabbits are all about.
Red eyes in rabbits a disease to pay attention
Red-eye is a relatively common condition that causes swelling or irritation in the rabbit’s eye or eyelid. This appearance of blood vessels in the eyeball can develop due to various reasons, including many systemic or bodily diseases.
This is called Hyperaemia and Red Eyes in Rabbits, so if your rabbit has red eyes seek veterinary advice immediately as this is usually a secondary symptom of a more serious condition.
1. Symptoms and types
The signs and symptoms of red-eye and related conditions often depend on the underlying cause. For example, if the red eye is due to a dental disorder, there may be signs of tooth decay or dental disease in the animal. Other common signs and symptoms may include:
- Vision problems
- swollen eyelids
- eye discharge
- extra tissue around the eyes
- Runny nose and upper respiratory infection or cold
- Hair loss and crusting of the mucous membrane , especially around the eyes, nasal area, and cheeks.
- Lethargy
- Depression
- abnormal posture
- facial masses
2. Causes
Because there are many causes for red eyes in rabbits, it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. However, some factors may include:
- Bacterial infections, including Treponema cuniculi (or rabbit syphilis), which can cause swollen eyelids.
- Conjunctivitis, a common disorder that causes red eyes that can result from allergies, bacterial or viral irritants; sometimes occurs as a side effect of a respiratory tract infection
- Keratitis, which is usually a fungal infection of the eye and can follow an eye injury
- Glaucoma, which if left untreated, can cause blindness.
- Dental disease, which can bring debris into the eye, causing inflammation or blocking a tear duct.
3. Diagnosis
Your vet will run a variety of lab tests to diagnose the cause of your rabbit’s red-eye. This includes skin and other cultures, as well as screening for cataracts and other eye diseases that can affect vision and health.
If the vet still can’t diagnose the condition, they may run special tests including:
- Tonometry: measures eye pressure to diagnose glaucoma and other related disorders.
- Schirmer’s tear test: detects dry eye, a condition that can cause red eyes
- Cytological exams: identifies infections within the tear ducts and surrounding tissues.
- Fluorescein stains: Help rule out ulcerative keratitis , a condition that can lead to red eyes.
4. Treatment
Treatment almost always depends on the underlying cause of the condition. For example, if the rabbit’s red eye is due to dental disease, tooth extraction may be necessary; while a case of the red-eye caused by bacteria may require a prescription of antibiotics.
To ease your rabbit’s pain, your vet will prescribe a topical anti-inflammatory medication. In some cases, animals will require a short course of topical steroid agents, especially rabbits with ulcers, delayed wound healing, and those with certain infections.
life and management
Some animals may require long-term pain management. Still, others may require repeated eye exams to help ensure the rabbit’s eye inflammation is managed properly and eye pressure remains stable to help prevent blindness.
