eye injury

Question
hello.
Our netherland dwarf junior buck has a problem with one eye.Please send pics or info to help me itentify prob.I just noticed when cleaning.Pupil looks to have drained down into scelera.Iris has turned white.Please resond.
THANKYOU!
Holly

Holly

Answer
Dear Holly,

I do not have pictures of all the possible eye ailments a rabbit might suffer.  But from the sound of this, you need to get your bunny to a good rabbit vet and/or veterinary ophthalmologist as soon as possible.  An injury like this often means that the eye has been punctured and that the internal structures have been displaced.

The pupil cannot "drain" down into the sclera, since the pupil is an open space through which light enters the eye.  If the pupil looks as if it is impinging on the sclera, it probably means that the iris is damaged and may be folded back in some way, making the pupil larger.

If the eye has been punctured, then it's going to be imperative that the bunny get antibiotic and possibly anti-fungal ophthalmic drops that are rabbit-safe and appropriate for the particular situation.  This must be determined by a good vet, preferably with ophthalmic experience/board certification.

Prompt treatment with appropriate ophthalmic drugs are a must, and it's more important for a good *vet* to be able to identify the problem than for you to do so, since there is really nothing you can do at home to fix or treat this injury.  In fact, you could make things worse by trying to treat it yourself.

Please go to:

www.rabbit.org/vets

to find a good rabbit vet near you and get your bunny there ASAP for treatment and/or referral to a good veterinary ophthalmologist.  The sooner he's seen, the better the chances of saving the eye and his vision, if it's not already too late.

I hope this helps.

Dana