How do you treat a blocked tear duct in a rabbit?
In cases where pus and sludge are blocking the tear duct, your vet may flush the tear duct using a cannula and saline. This must be done gently and carefully and many rabbits require sedation for this procedure. The aim is to flush all the infected material down to the nose, opening up the tear duct.
What causes blocked tear ducts in rabbits?
Blocked tear ducts (Dacryocystitis) is an abnormal flow of tears from your rabbit’s eyes. It’s usually caused by poor eyelid function, blockage of their tear duct, eye infection or inflammation. Most of the time these are caused by dental problems – your rabbit has a single tear duct very near to their teeth.
How do they fix a clogged tear duct?
For a narrowed punctum, your doctor can use a small probe to widen it. They’ll then flush or irrigate the tear duct with a saline solution. This is an outpatient procedure. If an injury caused the blockage, your best approach may be to wait several weeks to see if it heals on its own without any treatment.
How can you tell if a rabbit is sleeping?
Relaxed body. Their bodies will look relaxed and comfortable and they won’t seem on edge. There are lots of ways your rabbit might show they are relaxed, usually when lying down. They might sit with their legs tucked under their bodies (like a little rabbit loaf!), or lie down completely stretched out.
Why does my bunny have pink eyes?
Conjunctivitis. This condition is basically a bacterial infection of the pink flesh surrounding the eye, called the conjunctiva. Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis usually occurs when the rabbit is exposed to dirty water or lives in poor conditions like a filthy cage.
Can I use saline on my rabbit?
If you think there is a lot of dust that is bothering your rabbit and you want to remove that you can gently flush the eyes with some 0.9% saline solution available from your pharmacy.
What happens when a rabbit’s tear ducts are blocked?
Affected rabbits have weepy eyes with a milky coloured discharge, and one or both eyes may be affected. Your rabbit’s tear ducts can be flushed and unblocked by your vet. In some cases their ducts may become permanently blocked, leading to constantly weeping eyes.
What kind of eye problems does a rabbit have?
Rather, a rabbit is more likely to suffer from ocular-related conditions that may cause glaucoma, namely blocked tear ducts and conjunctivitis. Left untreated, this could eventually lead to blindness. When a rabbit’s tear ducts are blocked, its eyes will become watery.
What happens if a rabbit is left untreated?
Left untreated, this could eventually lead to blindness. When a rabbit’s tear ducts are blocked, its eyes will become watery. Excess tears may also run down its face, which can dampen the fur and skin and cause a bacterial infection that worsens the condition.
When do baby rabbits open their eyes and ears?
Baby rabbits are born blind, and deaf. They are very small and nursed by their mother once or twice every 24 hours, usually at night. By 6 – 8 days the eyes and ears open and they have thin fluff. By 2 weeks of age they will have a full coat of fur.
When a rabbit’s tear ducts are blocked, its eyes will become watery. Excess tears may also run down its face, which can dampen the fur and skin and cause a bacterial infection that worsens the condition.
Why is my rabbit losing fur around his eyes?
A rabbit losing fur around their eyes is often a result of ocular discharge. An eye infection, respiratory condition or blocked tear duct may be causing this. Blocked tear ducts are often a result of dental issues.
Left untreated, this could eventually lead to blindness. When a rabbit’s tear ducts are blocked, its eyes will become watery. Excess tears may also run down its face, which can dampen the fur and skin and cause a bacterial infection that worsens the condition.
Where are the tears located in a rabbit’s eye?
Normally, protective tears continuously bathe the eye, and are drained away via the nasolacrimal canal (“tear duct”), a tiny, mucous-membrane-lined tube. The opening of the canal, the punctum, is located in the corner of the eye closest to the nose (medial canthus).
