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Blocked Eye Duct French Lop

22 10:53:24

Question
We have a 4 year old french lop rabbit with a persistent eye problem, every couple of months we have to take him to the vet with a runny and mucus eye, the vet has been flushing the duct out and has prescribed various drops, Clinagel vet 4GM, Tiacil Opthalmic Solution 5 ml, Chloromycetin Opth ointment 4g, Fucithalmic Vet etc - however, unfortunately none of these seem to have any lasting impact and we are back to the vet every few weeks.  We are desperate and do not know what else to do.  Please help.

Answer
Dear Sally Ann,

I wish I had good news for you. But unfortunately, French Lops are very prone to exactly this problem.  This breed tends to suffer from unusual morphology of the skull as well as from unusual intrusion of the molar roots into the skull which can cause permanent stenosis (narrowing) of the tear duct that may get worse with age.  

As the duct narrows, it's more likely to become clogged with cellular and bacterial debris.  So while eye drops will help clear the problem by killing the bacteria and allowing tears to drain normally, once the antibiotics are stopped, the bacteria will usually re-populate the duct in a relatively short time.

We have several bunnies with this congenital problem, and the only relief they get is from daily gentle bathing of the affected skin.  When it gets really bad, we've sometimes put them on *systemic* antibiotics (Zeniquin/marbofloxacin seems to work well), which clears up the problem. But as before, the cessation of the antibiotics soon sees the return of the problem.

If the eye drops do work, I would ask the vet about just keeping the bunny on them for as long as they are effective.  Of the ones you mention, probably the least invasive would be the aminoglycosides (gentamycin (Clinacil/Tiacil), tobramycin), since those generally do not cross the mucous membranes, and so would not put a systemic stress on your bunny's liver or kidneys.

Wish I could tell you this is permanently curable, but it may not be.  But I know your lovable bunny is worth the trouble.  :)

Hope this helps!

Dana