This condition is common in pet rabbits and warrants urgent investigation as can be indicative of underlying disease. You may notice your rabbit begin to rub his eyes with his front feet, and he may have watery eyes. This condition is often linked to primary issues such as dental disease, blocked tear ducts or immune suppression. Treatment will very depending on the cause.
Conjunctivitis in your rabbit is also known as weepy eye and is quite common. It is believed up to 30% of pet rabbits develop conjunctivitis. Your rabbit may experience irritation, redness, discharge and more. Bacteria or viruses can be to blame.
Conjunctivitis Average Cost
From 231 quotes ranging from $200 - $800
Average Cost
$500
Symptoms will vary depending on the reason for your rabbit’s conjunctivitis.
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There are several possible causes of your dog’s conjunctivitis concerns. Some of the causes include allergies, infections, tooth concerns and genetics.
Idiopathic
Allergies
Infection and Bacteria
Other infectious agents that can be isolated
Tooth concerns
Genetics
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If you notice your rabbit begin to experience any of the symptoms discussed above, it will be important to bring him to his veterinarian. You will want to discuss with your veterinarian any other possible changes you have noticed and when. It will be important to share if your rabbit appears to have encountered any other animals or rabbits that could have been sick.
Your veterinarian will want to test him for infections. This can be done by taking blood or samples of the discharge from his eyes. These tests will help to rule out any other underlying causes of your rabbit’s symptoms.
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Treatment will be dependent on the cause of your rabbit’s symptoms. Your veterinarian will discuss with you what options there are for the different underlying causes of his symptoms.
Idiopathic or Allergies
If there is no known cause, your veterinarian may suggest changing where his hay is kept to reduce the possibility of hay dust irritating his eyes. Anti inflammatories and antibiotics may be trialed and are often effective in treating conjunctivitis.
Infection or Bacteria
If your rabbit is found to have an infection, your veterinarian will suggest an antibiotic to treat the infection and symptoms. There are some medications that may be used which are chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, or gentamicin. A saline solution may be used to wash his eyes as well.
Tooth Concerns
These may have to be treated with surgery to remove any abscesses, infected teeth or roots that are causing the ongoing conjunctivitis symptoms. Your veterinarian will discuss the necessity of this with you.
Genetics
Depending on the nature of the problem, once again surgery may be necessary to correct any ongoing issues.
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Follow up appointments will probably not be necessary unless your rabbit goes through surgery. It will be discussed with you at the time of treatment if you will need to return for a follow up. Continuing to monitor your rabbit’s condition and symptoms will be important for ongoing care, as well as possibly making changes.
If there are no other causes for your rabbit’s symptoms, changes may need to be made to his environment in regards to how his hay is stored and his contact with it. Feeding changes may be necessary in the event any teeth are removed or he had dental surgery. Oftentimes, dental disease is caused by inadequate fibre in the diet (such as hay and grass). Full recovery is likely if the underlying conditions are treated and if his symptoms are treated appropriately.
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Conjunctivitis Average Cost
From 231 quotes ranging from $200 - $800
Average Cost
$500
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Rex
One Year
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Just noticed my buck sneezing and ribbing his face this morning. Checked, he had crust around his eyes and a wet nose. Cleaned cage and separated from other buns, took inside. Still crusty eyes, nose dry, but seems irritable.
Sept. 26, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 18, 2020
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White rabbit
Eight Years
Unknown severity
3 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
What I should do for the treatment of my rabbit ,I have been injecting ceftriaxone and tazobactum injection for 10 days and applying ciprofloxacin, metronidazole,terbinafine hydrochloride and clobetasol propionate ointment on his lesion and also moxifloxacin eye drops but he is not ok ,he is not recovering , please help me ,I love my rabbit and I can't see him like this so please recommend me which medicine can I use for him
July 31, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. With all of the medications that you have already tried not working, it seems that it would probably be a good idea to have a veterinarian look at your rabbit, as there may be something going on that is not treatable with medication, or that may need more specific therapy. Unfortunately, without seeing him, I can't recommend any other therapy. I hope that your rabbit feels better soon!
July 31, 2020
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Conjunctivitis Average Cost
From 231 quotes ranging from $200 - $800
Average Cost
$500
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