Rabbit Uvetis from E Cuniculi

Question
My male rabbit has been pretty much diagnosed with Uvetis of the eye from E Cuniculi.  I took him to my regular do vet first and was prescribed the wrong antibiotics so I think it had a chance to get worse.  He is now seeing a rabbit and small animal vet.  She thinks he has E Cuniculi.  The eye problem started with a small white triangular thing in it.  At first I thought it was the reflection from the bedroom chandlier, but when it got bigger and his eye turned red I took him right away.  I have been giving him Ciproflaxin drops and pain drops three times a day and the "good" eye seems to be getting better.  My question is she wants to remove the "bad" eye.  I am not sure about removing the eye.  I don't want to put him through more trauma as he is just now warming up to me and starting to care for me.  Also, it is going to cost 724.00.  What do you recommend?  The "bad" eye looks pretty bad.

Answer
Dear Erin,

If the vet doesn't think that the uveitis can be helped with drops, then I would seriously consider enucleation of the eye.  The condition is very painful, and if there is no chance that the eye would get better, then the most merciful thing to do would be remove the eye.  But I would try to consult with a veterinary ophthalmologist who's familiar with rabbit medicine (and E. cuniculi) first, since a specialist may know of other options that might save the eye.  Check the local yellow pages or ask your vet for a referral, just to be sure you know you're doing the right thing.

A one-eyed rabbit can live quite a normal life, but also ask the vet about treating for E. cuniculi (with fenbendazole and/or ponazuril) to prevent damage to the other eye.  It would be sad to lose both, though I've also had blind bunnies who did fine.

As for worrying about him being afraid of you, consider that the uveitis may be constantly, miserably painful.  If it's not curable, then removing the eye will remove his pain.  The trauma of surgery would be relatively brief, and then he would be pain-free again.  This could only help your relationship with him.

No easy answers here, but I hope this helps.

Dana