watery eyes (both)

Question
We raise Californias for 4-H project and one of our rabbits just started having watery eyes - the hair around the eyes looks wet.....allergies? it is spring time, he is the only one that has it and they are outside. Is there anything I can do or look for to make sure it is not contagious.

Answer
Rabbits can have allergies.  Have you changed bedding, hay or feed lately?  As long as it is just watery and not pussy it is most likely just an irritation to something new in his surroundings.  You should also irrigate his eyes with bosch and lomb sterile eye solution with boric acid.  It will help clear out any irritation.  If it turns red and looks really icky then it could be conjunctivitis, if it is then yes it is contagious.  However unless he has recently been around a new rabbit or another rabbit that has it there isn't really any way he could have caught it.

If he shows any sign of fever, lethargy, hair loss, change of eating habits or diarrhea please take him to the vet right away.  Otherwise I would just keep the eyes clean and try to figure out what it is that is irritating them.  I have a rabbit that is allergic to pine of all things and most building and hutches have pine in them.  So it could be just about anything.  

Thank you

Pam