There are many diseases and health issues that rabbits can suffer from, and most of these go untreated because of a lack of awareness of these. Like many issues with eyes that can be present in our modern-day bunny friends, one of the most common eye diseases found in rabbits is conjunctivitis. It can be a concerning disease in some cases but can be especially terrible when it occurs in young rabbits and is left untreated. Conjunctivitis can affect one or even both the yes of your bunny and may be a symptom of a dental disorder. It requires early medical attention, so take your rabbit to the pet upon noticing the symptoms of conjunctivitis and ensure that it is treated early on.
What is conjunctivitis?
The inflammation of the conjunctiva (the tissue surrounding the eye) is known as conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis in rabbits can be caused by an infection to allergy or some other foreign body. In rabbits, it occurs as a mild inflammation that needs treatment, else it can aggravate to become a serious issue that damaged the affected eye beyond repair. Conjunctivitis can also be a symptom of a more serious underlying cause such as dental disease, allergy, foreign bodies, parasites, viral infections, bacterial infections, or deformity.
Symptoms
Upon noticing these symptoms in your pet rabbit, do not hesitate to take them to the doctor. Symptoms include:
- Eye rubbing
- Inflammed eyelids
- Excessive tearing or weepy eyes
- Wet hair around eyelids
- Itching and hair loss
- Redness
- Appearance of lethargy
- Decreased appetite
- Inability to open eyes
- Pus in and around the eye
- Intolerance to light known as photophobia
- The flow of tears in a thick secretion (lacrimation)
Diagnosis
It is extremely important that your rabbit be immediately taken to a vet upon noticing the symptoms of conjunctivitis. Make sure to talk to your veterinarian about any additional changes you’ve seen and when they occurred. It is critical to communicate if your rabbit has been contacting any other animals or rabbits that may have been unwell.
Expect that your veterinarian will want to perform an infection test on it. They have to draw blood or collect samples of their discharge. Through these tests, you can understand whether conjunctivitis indicates any underlying disease and proceed towards treatment.
Treatment
Your vet may suggest that your rabbit be given certain eye drops and other medication. You may be required to wipe their eyes gently with saline water and clean their hatches and replace their hay. You will also need to remove any allergy-causing objects from their environment. The treatment ultimately depends on the underlying cause of your rabbit’s conjunctivitis, and hence you must see the vet.
Especially in the case of young rabbits, do not wait to consult your veterinarian. The problem needs a diagnosis of underlying conditions and will not sort itself out. Your rabbit can fully recover and go back to good health if their symptoms and underlying conditions are treated early by a vet who is experienced with rabbits.
