Rabbits eye has red above the pupil.

Question
My rabbit's eye has a line of red above his pupil, in the sclera. He's mostly acting normal, but he started pushing his head under my foot and just lying down there. I'm not sure what this means or what's wrong.

Thank you,
Ocarina

Answer
Dear Ocarina,

Sorry for the delay; I have just finished an excruciatingly busy middle school ecology outreach program that pretty much prevented me from doing anything but that!

Vascularization in a line just above the iris/pupil area can indicate that the bunny has suffered a corneal abrasion or other injury, and the body is responding by growing blood vessels towards the area to deliver healing substances and cells.  If your bunny is acting less frisky than usual, the injury may be causing him pain.  

I'd get him to an experienced rabbit vet, and--preferably--a veterinary ophthalmologist who can have a look at the eye with special chemicals and UV that will show whether there is corneal trouble that needs treatment.  If your bunny does have such an injury, it may get worse without proper treatment.  Also, it's hurting, so bun could probably benefit from some pain management.  (Despite common wisdom, because rabbits have atropinase that rapidly breaks down atropine, our vet ophthalmologist has noticed marked signs of pain relief with atropine drops, even if they don't last as long as with other mammals; might want to ask your vet about this.)

Hope this helps.

Dana