My Poorly Rabbit

Question
We have had an Opal Rex as a house rabbit for about 6 months. He came from a profesional breeder and has always been well kept. He lives in our lounge in large cage and has clean straw every day as litter tray. He has a handful of veggies every night and two bowls of pellets each day. He has full run of the room 24 hours per day. He has over lst two nights developed red eyes, no discharge of runing nose and no sign of teeth grinding. His head does not really tilt his head unless stroked. He seems normal but why the red eyes? Any ideas? Thnk you. Katy

Answer
Dear Katy,

When you say he has "red eyes" I'm assuming you mean either that the scleras (the "whites" of the eyes) or the surrounding membranes are swollen and/or bloodshot.  There can be many different reasons for this, from retrobulbar abscess to corneal ulceration to glaucoma to uveitis--to mention only a few.  The only way to get a positive diagnosis is to get bun to an experienced rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

and preferably to a veterinary ophthalmologist who has experience with rabbits.  

If his eyes are red and bloodshot, they are probably painful.  The vet can at least prescribe some pain medication, such as metacam, until there is a positive diagnosis and proper treatment can be started.  So I'd recommend you get bun to a good vet ASAP.  If it's something like glaucoma, time is of the essence, and prompt treatment can prevent permanent blindness.

Hope this helps.

Dana