My Rabbit Has a wet Eye, Hair Loss, and Is Making strange Noises
“I have a bunny with an approximate age of 7. The area under his eye is marked by a significant loss of fur that keeps getting bigger and growing. The nearest vet I see is three hours away and he doesn’t spot bunnies. He told me he would look, but surprisingly didn’t say much
Could he be carrying a parasite or mites, and I am wondering about the potential explanation for this. I have never observed this behavior in a pet. My cat seems to be experiencing a strange phenomenon by his eye. Would it be safe to put my bunny down?. My bunny is very quiet and sometimes she makes strange noises. I pray that he is not in jeopardy or struggling. Could you guess what? —Lindy
What are the ways to cure a Rabbit’s Tear Duct Infection?
Your rabbit may be uncomfortable and experiencing pain, so it’s unfortunate that you don’t have a local vet to check on your situation. This needs to be addressed as soon as possible
Your photograph below suggests that the hair loss trend is likely due to a blocked tear duct, which is frequently observed in rabbits. It is called dacryocystitis. The tear glands are narrow, tuck inside the skull, and reach towards the teeth’s base
As a rabbit ages, its ducts become more porous and may result in hair loss and discharge on the face
Treatment of Rabbits with Tear Duct Injection
The most straightforward approach to resolving this issue in an older rabbit is to remove any thickened material from the tear ducts and flush it dry. Within weeks, the hair loss on the face starts to subside
Treatment can prevent rabbits from losing their ability to use the eye, as the lacrimal glands are still capable of healing even when the duct is blocked. If addressed correctly, the rabbit can live for many years. (1)
What About the Noises?
Regrettably, since you’re describing the unusual noises your rabbit is making, he may be experiencing pain due to dental issues and grinding his teeth. If that is the case, he will need to have his teeth floated and potentially have a tooth extracted, which will be kosher. Compared to dogs and cats, rabbits are not as well-administered under anesthesia
Treating the Eye
In the absence of an examiner or teeth-checker, a rabbit can be treated with OTC saline eye drops to flush its eyes
Watch the video below and repeat the recommended rinse twice a day for 10 days to see if the discharge diminishes or disappears. If your bunny is not improving, you can always take it to a vet who specializes in rabbit treatment
If you are unable to do so, and the rabbit is not responsive to the saline eye drops, placing him to sleep is an uncomplicated solution. He could be with you for another year, but if he has dental problems, that is unlikely to happen
The hair loss and eye irritation that you observe with your cat are not caused by any other factors. To ensure compliance, seek medical advice from a veterinarian, and if the cat has an inflammation in its eye, they will administer an ointment to alleviate it
Reference
- Botsford B, Yiu S; Lin H, Liu Y, He H. T he lacrimal gland’s Repair was hindered by the temporary Obstruction of an Excretory tube in Rabbits. Sci report 2018 Aug 15; 7 (1): 8290. Doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-08197-2. PMID: 28811503; PMCID: PMC5557958. Https: //pubmed. Ncbi. Nlm. Nih. Gov/28811503. /
The information presented in this article is not intended to replace the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and personalized guidance from your veterinarian. If you notice any indications of distress in your animals, it is recommended that you seek the help of a veterinarian
© 2024 Mark dos Anjos, DVM