Rabbit cataract

Question
My fourteen y/o healthy, happy, house bunster saw his vet today and she confirmed my observation of early unilateral cataract development.  Since he has some hearing impairment, preserving vision may be important to his comfort, despite that he is coddled and protected by his two adult humans and his darling bungirl.  Have you heard of therapeutic results in reducing or slowing cataracts in rabbits with N-a-Acetyl-Carnosine drops?  Any ideas alternate to ablation would be welcomed also.  We have access to excellent vet ophthalmologist, appt. two weeks hence.  Thank you.

Answer
Dear Sharon,

Wow!  Congratulations on having such a happy, healthy elder bunny!  :)

The treatment to prevent further cataract development will depend on the cause of the cataract.  I've not heard of using  N-a-acetytl-carnosine in rabbits, but see from a quick search that it has been used with some success in other mammals.  It certainly would be worth asking the vet about it.

Note that cataracts can be caused by many different things, from a parasite known as E. cuniculi (uncommon) to glaucoma (fairly common in rabbits).  

Treatment for the former is usually a benzamidazole drug (we use fenbendazole, as it is the least toxic of the three commonly used versions), but since your bunny is already 14, I really doubt this would be the first sign of E. cuniculi infection in the absence of other signs.  If the veterinary ophthalmologist is familiar with rabbits, then s/he will be able to tell you if the cataract lesions are consistent with E. cuniculi, which produce a cataract different from that generated by things like glaucoma.

Different eyes respond to different medications, when it comes to glaucoma.  There are some medications that reduce the inflow of fluid to the eye, and others that increase outflow, but both have the overall effect of reducing intraocular pressure that can generate cataracts.  If your bunny has glaucoma in the affected eye, the vet may wish to try one or both types of drugs to see which one works for your bunny's particular problem.

I hope some of this helps, and that your veterinary ophthalmologist will be able to prevent any further damage to your dear (and lucky to have such caring "parents") elderbun!  :)

Good luck,

Dana