Pet Rabbit Eye Disease

Rabbits are among the most popular small pets in the United States today. They are small, inexpensive, clean and affectionate, and relatively easy to care for. Like any domestic animals, however, they are susceptible to a number of medical issues, many of which are manifested in the rabbit's eyes.

  1. Sinus Infections

    • Runny, watery eyes or the presence of a thick white or yellowish discharge are often indications of a sinus infection. Staining of the fur beneath the eyelids can be a further symptom of sinus trouble, particularly if the rabbit also suffers from a runny nose or sneezing. Most sinus infections in rabbits are caused by bacteria rather than viruses, so antibiotic treatment is often effective.

    Bacterial Infection

    • The likeliest culprit of infections in pet rabbits is the bacteria pasteurellosis, although bordetella or staphylococcus may also be to blame. Pasteurellosis infections can infect the nose, lung or eye membranes, but can spread elsewhere if left untreated. Without treatment, pasteurellosis infections can be fatal, but aggressive courses of antibiotics have proven successful against the bacteria. Crowded or unsanitary rabbitries are especially vulnerable to pasteurellosis outbreaks, which can be very difficult to eradicate.

    External Causes

    • If a tear duct becomes blocked by debris, the rabbit's tears will no longer be able to drain into its nasal cavity, and will instead spill out onto the cheeks, causing staining beneath the eyelids. A veterinarian will usually be able to flush the eye, removing the blockage and restoring the normal flow of tears. Occasionally a pet rabbit may develop a condition known as entropion in which the eyelid folds under, causing painful ulceration of the cornea. This condition, which can be surgically corrected, may be congenital or the result of a severe bacterial infection.

    Dental Disorders

    • In older rabbits, dental troubles can lead to a variety of health issues. Sometimes metabolic bone disease is the unlikely culprit of a pet bunny's runny eyes. As bone density decreases, the roots of the teeth can be pushed into the skull bones. Because a rabbit's molars are located beneath the eyes, this "root overgrowth," as it is known, can cause blockage of the tear ducts from within. If flushing the eyes does not alleviate the problem, the offending teeth may have to be removed.

    Allergies

    • Sometimes a pet rabbit's runny eyes are simply the result of allergies. Dust from hay or wood shavings or even from dry food can get into a bunny's eyes and cause them to run. For this reason, the rabbit's litter should never consist of a dusty material. In any case, only a veterinarian is capable of accurately diagnosing and treating your pet rabbit's eye problems.