Major eye diseases in rabbits and their treatment
Diseases of the eyes in rabbits cause a lot of inconvenience in the process of their maintenance and require veterinary intervention, sometimes surgical.
Eye diseases in rabbits
Common eye diseases in rabbits
Diseases of the eyes in rabbits can be triggered by various factors. All ophthalmic diseases in animals by veterinarians into three main groups:
- appearing 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, the cause of which is infectious pathogens of various etiologies. 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 teeth disease. Cases with abscesses 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. The factors of the regular appearance and growth of neoplasms are determined on the basis of cell sampling and laboratory research. Surgical intervention in most episodes ends with the removal of the organ of vision.
Frequent inflammations include:
- problems with redness of the mucous membrane (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 conditions of the eye orbit,
- ulcerative process of the cornea,
- cataracts 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 smallest 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 turned red, swollen and begins to tear, the eyelids are swollen, purulent discharge begins. The rabbits begin to squint, their eyes are stuck together, the fur near them is wet, the animals do not open them for a long time.
Treatment of sick eyes of rabbits with conjunctivitis is directly related to the causes of the inflammatory process.
Non-infectious swelling of the eyes in rabbits is treated with a conventional rinsing with a manganese solution, the red eye can be treated with boric acid, anti-inflammatory drops are dripped, which often include antibiotics.
Red-eyed white hares are more susceptible to allergic conjunctivitis than the black hare.
To relieve eye inflammation in rabbits in the treatment of infectious conjunctivitis, the tetracycline group of antibiotics is widely used. Allergic conjunctivitis eye disease in rabbits can be cured with the use of antihistamines.
Keratitis
This name defines the processes when the cornea is ill and inflamed. The reason for this eye disease in rabbits is often clogged lacrimal canals and traumatic damage to the eyeball. It can be a consequence of vitamin deficiency in adults and rabbits.
Symptoms of keratitis include:
- clouded irises with a white film formed,
- non-standard rabbit reaction to light due to increased photosensitivity,
- purulent discharge.
In case of keratitis manifestations, cleansing treatment is provided as a priority, sore eyes are washed. For treatment, ointments and drops with anti-inflammatory effects, coupled with a group of antibiotics, are prescribed. It is possible to alleviate the painful sensations of animals if you do therapy with atropine.
Uveitis
This disease of the eyes of rabbits is an inflammatory process of the membrane due to the presence of infection, parasites or as a result of injury. 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.
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 two eyes may be affected at the same time.
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 ocular 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 relief of the condition, often ends with surgical removal.
Exophthalmos
It occurs due to an abscess formed from the inner wall of the eyeball. The reasons are the incorrect growth of the animal's teeth or their improper grinding. As a result, the abscess forces the eye out of the orbit by pressure. The consequence of this is the drying out of the mucous membrane, since the eyelids do not close completely, subsequently a corneal ulcer develops. How it looks can be seen in the photo and video.
Exophthalmos is not treated; 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 the film has fallen out. The process ends with the necrosis of the film that appears on the eyeball.
Treatment consists in the surgical removal of the film that has appeared and the subsequent appointment of antibiotics. Atropine drops will reduce painful sensations.
Epiphora
This name denotes increased tearing, which can be caused by:
- inflammation in the lacrimal sac, which swells,
- blocked lacrimal canals, the eye is flowing and wet,
- curvature of the eyelids or abnormal growth of cilia.
Increased lacrimation sometimes occurs under pressure from the roots of the incisors on the lacrimal canal, completely or partially blocking it.
The epiphora can be treated if the stagnant liquid is washed out, 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. Bunnies can infect newborn rabbits with myxomatosis.
Treatment of a viral infection is possible with the use of antibiotics given by injection, but only a few individuals recover. The best way to prevent the disease is through vaccination.
For complex eye therapy, antiseptic agents are used, including potassium permanganate and furacilin.