crusty eyes

Question
My 3year old male rabbit has a heavy build-up of waxy sleep material on both eyes. How is the best way to clean and prevent it from happening again.  Thank you.  Rose

Answer
Dear Rose,

This can be gently cleaned away with a warm, moist washcloth.  Prevention is another matter.  It depends on the cause.  Please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sneezing.html

and

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

for some possible causes of runny eyes.  If this is just a bit of "sleep," I would not worry.  But if the eyes are chronically runny, it could be a dental problem blocking the tear ducts.

If the matter is crusty and spreading, then it could be mange:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/furloss.html

Please find a good rabbit vet to help you here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps.

Dana