Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Rabbits > Strange spot in eye + pupil is uneven

Strange spot in eye + pupil is uneven

22 9:57:23

Question
Strange pupil + spot
Strange pupil + spot  
QUESTION: Hello Dana. I'm hoping you can help me out with an eye issue.

Last week I noticed a strange spot in my rabbit's eye. It is not white or looks anything like a cateract on its way. Also, I've noticed that his pupil in that particular eye is not round at all anymore. It is tagged and strangely shaped. I took him to my vet, who had never seen anything like it and was unable to help me.

He seems fine otherwise.

I really hope you will take a look at this thread, where I have posted pictures of his eye:
http://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aff/2/aft/111205/afv/topic/afpgj/1/Defa

ANSWER: Dear Ursula,

Sorry for the delay.  I was finishing up a middle school ecology program that sort of swallowed up my life, and I'm still trying to catch up!

If I'm seeing the lesion correctly (the picture on the web site you sent isn't very clear, either), it appears that there is something adhering to the iris itself.  There are various things that can cause this, from intraocular infection to foreign bodies, etc. and sometimes even congenital problems.  But since this is recent, it's probably not the latter.

I would ask your vet for referral to a boarded veterinary ophthalmologist.  We have a fantastic one here, and when she saw our Fenris, who had a similar condition in his eye (since he was rescued; we don't know how it happened) she did tell me the various causes.  It's not really treatable without surgery, but the good news is that unless there is active infection, it will not cause major problems.  That eye won't be able to function quite as well as the other (the iris will not open and close properly, to attenuate or let in light), but if there is no inflammation or other complications, it's not a big deal.

Still, it would be a good idea to have a vet ophthalmologist have a look, take the intraocular pressure, determine if there is an active pathology going on that needs treatment, etc.  

I hope all will be well.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: As a follow-up, my bunny has been to a veterinary ophthalmologist a few days ago and was diagnosed with uveitis. Later it came to my knowledge, that this might be a result of E. Cuniculi, which I have informed the vet (who is not rabbit-savvy, but strongly dedicated to this). No tests have been done, but we are moving forward with fenbendazole now.

The other eye seems to be changing as well now, so I hope for a recovery! The vet suggests it might otherwise be a tumor.

I have two other house bunnies, which my bunny live with - should I do anything to boost their immune system in order to avoid them getting Cuniculi as well?

Answer
Dear Ursula,

Since the ocular problems associated with E. cuniculi are pretty devastating, if these were my bunnies I would be very aggressive with treatment.  Did the vet check the lenses?  If this is due to E. cuniculi, then there should be characteristic lesions in the lens.  If your vet ophthalmologist would like to consult with our (very rabbit savvy) vet ophthalmologist here in Miami, I can check with her to see if she accepts such communications.  Just let me know by writing privately to me at dana@miami.edu

When we treat for E. cuniculi these days, we now combine Panacur (fenbendazole) with toltrazuril sulfate.  This is available as either Baycox (much cheaper, and not requiring a prescription) or Marquis (ponazuril; more expensive, and requires a prescription).  You might want to discuss this with your vet ophthalmologist, too.

No one is completely sure about how E. cuniculi is transmitted or how long, but it apparently is shed in the urine.  Also--supposedly--the cysts shed for only the first 2-3 weeks after infection.  But is this initial infection, or can a rabbit be continually infected and continue to shed cysts?  Sadly, no one knows!  But it's also possible that all your bunnies already have the parasite.  Many rabbits who test positive never show signs of problems throughout their lives, whereas others do.  It seems to be a matter of immunity and general health.  But again...no one really knows for sure.

So it might be wise to treat all the bunnies in the house, and while you do so, give everything a good disinfecting with 10% bleach rinse, water rinse, and thorough drying.  Wash anything that bunnies have peed on with hot water, and dry very well on HIGH.

I hope soon your bunny will be well, and your other bunnies' risk will be minimized.

I hope this helps.

Dana