sore eye

Question
Hi.  

My rabbit had babies 6 weeks ago. 2 are thriving and doing well, the third was found out of nest and cold at 1 week old.  I managed to bring him round and put him back with mum, have been expecting to loose him ever since but although he is half the size of his siblings, he is plodding on.  I took him to the vet to be checked over but I wasn't impressed, she looked like she didn't have a clue but gave him a 2ml shot of antibiotics.  this was 3 days ago and there has been no change in his eyes.  They look swollen and sore and they are weeping white puss causing the hair to go rigid and upset his eye more!  I have been bathing them with tea but it doesn't seem to help.  What is the best way to soften the hardened hair and unmatt his eyes?  I really want to do all i can for the poor little mite.

Hope you can help
Thanks

Answer
Hi Dawn,

my suggestion is to use a very soft cotton lightly warm washcloth and gently work the eye area.  He's got sinus infections or something and the best bet for him is to get him to a good rabbit vet for strong enough antibiotics to knock this out properly - as you have discovered not all vets are good rabbit vets.

I am assuming you're in the UK and I would suggest calling around to local or county rabbit rescue groups and asking them what vet they would go to with a sick or injured rabbit.  You may have better results this way.

Also, as always, you can try to check the House Rabbit Society web site here to see if they have any listed for your area:

http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html#international

http://members.shaw.ca/cocoasun/Eurovets.htm#UnitedKingdom

http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/Vet_EU-UK.html

http://www.houserabbit.co.uk/rwf/vets.htm

Thanks for not giving up on this little one.  Make sure he is always warm and that he's eating.  

Write back anytime.  Lee