blind bunny?

Question
Hi there Dana,

Can you give me some suggestions please on how to make my bunnies life
more happier? I think he has gone blind? He's an albino and up until 3 weeks
ago could see fine. He has recently suffered a bad ear infection which caused
severe head tilt and from that point really I have noticed him not being able
to see. Could that have caused it? He has finished his antibiotics now and
seems quite well. Still got slight head tilt but eating and drinking and walking
again. The thing is, he bumps into everythin! He won't run anymore. Takes
very careful steps etc. I feel so sorry for my little babes. How can I help? Any
suggestions would be greatly appreciated thankyou.

Answer
Dear Zoe,

The first thing I'd do is get him to a good veterinary ophthalmologist for a full evaluation of his eyesight and the condition of his eyes.  In some cases, head abscesses (e.g., ear infections that cause head tilt) can be caused by an infected molar root.  In some cases, the root of the tooth can actually penetrate the eye and cause an intraocular abscess and blindness.  This may or may not be treatable;  only a good veterinary ophthalmologist will be able to say.

Another common putative cause of head tilt is a parasite, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, that can, in some cases, also cause a characteristic type of cataract.  The cataracts themselves are permanent.  But if you are willing to spend the money (and if the retina is still working as to be determined by the vet opthalmologist), the lenses (or one lens) can be removed, restoring a fairly good degree of vision (depending on the individual case).

For a good vet who can refer you to a veterinary ophalmologist, please go here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

If the problem is E. cuniculi, please consult your vet about putting your bunny on Panacur (fenbendazole), which can control it.  Another option is ponazuril, a new (and expensive!) drug that was developed for a similar parasite in horses, but appears to have efficacy against E. cuniculi as well, according to the anecdotal reports that are only now starting to come in.

If your bunny has permanent, untreatable vision loss, then it's sad--but not life-threatening.  Just don't move the furniture, and he'll gradually learn the lay of the land and start to move around with more confidence.  There will be an adjustment period, but he'll get through it with love and help from you.

I hope this helps.

Dana