Eye diseases in rabbits cause a lot of inconvenience in the process of their maintenance and require veterinary intervention, and sometimes surgical.
Eye diseases in rabbits
Common eye diseases in rabbits
Rabbit eye disease can be triggered by various factors. All ophthalmic diseases in animals by veterinarians into three main groups:
- appeared in the process of inflammation,
- formed during exposure to infectious pathogens,
- acquired from parents, that is, congenital.
Inflammatory processes and the associated redness are mainly infectious in nature and less often occur due to allergic reactions, traumatological or other damage.
Among the most common inflammatory infectious diseases in rabbits, various cases of abscesses are recorded, which are caused by various etiologies of infectious pathogens. The initial symptom of such disorders is purulent discharge from the eye sockets. In this case, most often veterinarians note infectious lesions of the organs of vision as a result of infection through the blood and in cases of rabbit tooth disease. Cases with abscesses come to an end with surgical intervention with removal of the organ of vision and subsequent therapy with drugs from the group of antibiotics.
To avoid loss of vision in rabbits and preserve their visual organs only timely seeking veterinary help will help.
No less often, eye diseases in rabbits are observed in the form of the appearance of neoplasms, which can manifest themselves in a single or multiple form, small or reaching large sizes. They can be based on benign or malignant formations. Factors of the regular appearance and growth of neoplasms are clarified on the basis of cell sampling and laboratory studies. Surgical intervention in most episodes results in removal of the organ of vision.
Frequent inflammations include:
- problems with redness of the mucosa (conjunctivitis),
- corneal problems (keratitis),
- inflammation of the membrane (uveitis),
- inflammatory eye problems with white discharge (dacryocystitis).
Among other pathologies, the following are often noted:
- tumor states of the eye orbit,
- ulcerative process of the cornea,
- cataract and glaucoma.
A separate category is the description of the protrusion of the eyeballs in rabbits, called exophthalmos.
Inflammatory eye diseases
Conjunctivitis
In the process of irritation of the iris with hay and sawdust dust and other tiny particles, inflammation of the mucous membrane occurs. At the same time, a high ammonia concentration accumulated as a result of untimely harvesting of cells can act as a reason for the disease. Allergic reactions and infections cause a secondary type of conjunctivitis. Among the symptoms - the rabbit's eye turns red, swollen and begins to tear, the eyelids are swollen, purulent discharge begins. Rabbits begin to squint, their eyes are stuck together, the fur near them is wet, animals do not open them for a long time.
Treatment of sick rabbit eyes with conjunctivitis is directly related to the causes of the inflammatory process.
Non-infectious edema of the eyes in rabbits is treated by regular washing with a solution of manganese, the red eye can be treated with boric acid, anti-inflammatory drops drip, which often include antibiotics.
Red-eyed white hares are more prone to allergic conjunctivitis than black hares.
To relieve eye inflammation in rabbits in the treatment of infectious conjunctivitis, the tetracycline group of antibiotics is widely used. Allergic conjunctivitis of the eye in rabbits can be cured by using antihistamines.
Keratitis
This name defines the processes when the cornea is ill and inflamed. Clogged lacrimal channels and traumatic injuries of the eyeball are often the cause of this eye disease in rabbits. It can be a consequence of vitamin deficiency in adults and rabbits.
Symptoms of keratitis include:
- clouded irises with a white film
- non-standard rabbit reaction to light due to increased photosensitivity,
- purulent discharge.
In case of keratitis manifestations, cleansing treatment is provided first of all, sore eyes are washed. For treatment, ointments and drops with anti-inflammatory effects are prescribed, coupled with a group of antibiotics. It is possible to relieve the painful sensations of animals if you do therapy with atropine.
Uveitis
This rabbit eye disease is an inflammatory process of the membrane due to the presence of infection, parasites or as a result of trauma. Symptoms of uveitis include decreased pressure in the eyes, adhesions, and other changes in the lens. Outwardly, rabbit eye disease looks like a clouded eyeball, tearing and photophobia. Rabbits lose their visual ability.
It is treated with antibiotics and hormonal drugs that have vasodilating properties.
How to treat conjunctivitis in rabbits
Myxomatosis in rabbits - treatment, symptoms, vaccination.
Myxomatosis rabbit or conjunctivitis?
Eye treatment in rabbits. Rabbit breeding. Conjunctivitis in young rabbits. Eye diseases. Sour eyes.
Treatment of rabbits from Mixomatosis (sour eyes, bumps on the ears).
Other eye pathologies
Cataract
It can be a congenital disease or the defect develops due to the aging of the animal. In addition to these reasons, cataracts can develop under the influence of parasites. Outwardly, this disease looks like cloudy lenses with spots. One or both eyes may be affected.
Cataract treatment is carried out only with therapy, which allows you to alleviate the condition. In this case, eye drops are prescribed in accordance with the etiology.
Glaucoma
It is expressed in the form of an increase in eye pressure and is given during a veterinary examination. Externally, at home, it can be detected due to the bulge of the eyeball. Therapy in rare cases leads to a relief, often ends with surgical removal.
Exophthalmos
It occurs due to an abscess formed from the inner wall of the eyeball. The reasons are abnormal tooth growth in the animal or their improper grinding. As a result, an abscess by pressure displaces the eye beyond the orbit of the eye. The consequence of this is the drying of the mucosa, since the eyelids do not close completely, subsequently a corneal ulcer develops. You can see how it looks in the photo and video.
Treatment of exophthalmos is not carried out, surgical removal is performed.
Corneal ulcer
It is obtained with erosive changes of a chronic nature, due to lowered immunity, but it can also be a consequence of traumatic effects. It usually begins with an inflammatory symptom when a film has fallen. The process ends with the necrosis of the film that appeared on the eyeball.
Treatment consists in the surgical removal of the resulting film and the subsequent administration of antibiotics. Atropine drops will reduce painful sensations.
Epiphora
This name indicates increased tearing, which can be caused by:
- inflammatory processes in the lacrimal sac that swell,
- clogged tear ducts, the eye is flowing and wet
- curvature of the eyelids or abnormal growth of cilia.
Increased tearing sometimes occurs under pressure from the roots of the incisors on the lacrimal canal, blocking it completely or partially.
Epiphora can be treated if the stagnant liquid is washed, reducing irritation. The pressing incisors are removed and a course of antibiotics is given.
Myxomatosis
It does not apply to eye diseases, but leads to damage to the organs of vision in the first days when rabbits get sick after receiving a viral infection.
Myxomatosis has two main forms - edematous and nodular. With the edematous form of myxomatosis, purulent conjunctivitis begins. In animals, eyes begin to turn red and watery, the eyelids swell with simultaneous swelling of the nasal cavity, bumps form in rabbits in the eyes. With the nodular form of myxomatosis in animals, the eyelids stick together, nodules appear in the area of the eyes and nasal cavity.
Myxomatosis is cured only in the early stages. Rabbits can infect myxomatosis of newborn rabbits.
Treatment of a viral infection is possible with the use of injectable antibiotics, but only a few individuals recover. The best way to prevent the disease is to prevent it through vaccination.
For complex eye therapy, antiseptic agents are used, including potassium permanganate and furacilin.