eye infection? Wild baby cottontails

Question
About four weeks ago I ruined (cutting grass) an American Cottontails nest. There were six baby bunnies with their eyes closed (maybe 2 days old). Earlier in the year I ruined (grass cutting) a nest with three bunnies and I let nature and the mother take it course. The first nest was predated. So, I decided to help the second set of bunnies. Some of the bunnies have cloudy eyes, and/or a clear eye with a cloudy spot in the back of the eye. I have searched and can not find any help to what maybe wrong or how to help. I read about domestic bunnies having an infection or hereditary eye problems but nothing on Cottontails. The bunnies are eating they seem healthy all but their eyes. Two of the bunnies died that had this cloudy eye, but I do not know how they died ( they were about 2 and half weeks old when they died). Any help would be appreciated because they are getting ready to be set free and I would hate to set them free and they are a) blind (which i am not sure) and b) there was something I could do to help before they return to the wild.

Answer
Dear Beth,

I apologize for the delay.  Unexpectedly, a middle school ecology outreach program I was running went crazy at the end, and I'm just now getting my life back.  So sorry!  But I'm back now.

I cannot tell what is causing the cloudy eyes without seeing the babies in person.  It could be corneal ulcers, intraocular infections, or any number of things.  But if the babies are blind, they cannot be released unless you want them to be instant predator food.  They will have to be kept in sanctuary, either by you or by someone who can permanently house them.  

Most wildlife rehabilitators will not be able to offer permanent sanctuary to cotties, though there are a few who will do so.  If this becomes necessary, please write back and I will do my best to put you in contact with someone who will not just euthanize and/or feed them to a snake or bird of prey.  :(  Yes, it happens.  While most wildlife rehabbers are trustworthy, there are just some who are not, when it comes to small mammals.

You can find a list of wildlife rehabilitators here:

http://wildliferehabber.com/modules/xoopsmembers/

Should this ever happen again, that's the first place you should go--to find a wildlife rehabber who can raise the babies and make sure they stay healthy for release.  

Cottontail medicine is not all that different from that of domestic rabbits, but you do need a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

The vet can tell you what is causing the whiteness in the eyes, and how to treat it.  Also, s/he will be able to let you know if the babies are suitable for release.

I hope this helps, and that all the babies made it.  But please note the instructions in my introduction that explain what to do if you find wild "orphaned" cottontails:  it is almost never in their best interest to try and raise them yourself.  Just too many things can go wrong, and the vast majority raised by inexperience, though well-meaning people don't make it.

Take care,

Dana