Bulging eyes

Question
Hello Lee...

To answer your questions, the medicine is Baytril.  Burrito is 3.6 lbs and we are feed him a suspension of 0.5cc 2X per day.

However, his bulging eyes are on both eyes, not one.  However, instead of a gradual onset, it has appeared abruptly.  The area of the eyes at the tear duct are milky white.  The white around the eye is still white (when stressed we can see this).  

I have gone through the vet referal but still am having trouble finding someone to diagnose him.  Again, the vet that I was using was a supposedly experienced with rabbits.  

Any more info would be helpful as the earliest appointment I can get is Thursday morning.

Thanks
Clay, Merritt, and Burrito.

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Followup To

Question -
Mr. Meyer,

Thank you for volunteering to answer questions...

We have 3 rabbits, but in the last week, our dwarf dutch Buritto has shown some strange signs.  He first started wheezing and that's when we noticed his bulging eyes...not one but both.  I did some research, but honestly, this started rather abruptly.  We have been to the vet and has diagnosed him with a mild respitory problem and given him some medication.  However, his eye situation is still there.  We only noticed it when he's stressed (picked up quickly or trying to feed him his meds).  We can soothe him and they will go down.  I have noticed that in the lower corners (towards his nose) we are seeing more of the creamy white area.  It almost looks like it is growning.  Any help would be greatly appreciated as we are very concerned.  The vets have experience with rabbits and thought that his eyes are abnormal but don't know what to do about it.

Thanks...I can send pictures if I need to (before and after)

Sincerely and eagerly awaiting a response.

Clay and Merritt.

Answer -
Hi Clay and Merritt,

if it's just one eye like you say, it could be an infection under/behind the eye (a retrobulbar abscess).  It can be a problem linked to the back teeth (molars), which are located directly under the eye.

This requires antibiotics to knock out.  What medication is he currently on - you say he is on some now.  Have you noticed that his eye problem is getting any better?  If not, the meds are not helping this particular problem and is not working.

If your vet doesn't know what to do about it, you need to get to a better vet.  I would suggest here:

www.rabbit.orgvets

to look up a House Rabbit Society recommended vet in your area.

If this were my rabbit, I would get him to a veterinarian more knowledgeable about rabbit medicine.

You should also take some time to read these articles:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sneezing.html

Write back if you have additiional questions.  But get your rabbit to a good rabbit vet to be properly diagnosed and given the right medicines to treat the problem.  Any time a vet says he doesn't know what else to do, you need to get to a better vet.  They are at the end of their knowledge and can't help you anymore.

Lee

Answer
Hi Clay and Merritt,

before I mention anything, I love that name "Burrito."  He must be adorable.

That said, even with both eyes, it still could possibly be a molar root problem that is able to affect both sides.  It could be that the area is inflamed or infected and is affecting both eyes.  Or there could be a mass back there that could be affecting bothe eyes.  This probably is not what it is, it would be rare.

Burrito could have an infection that has decided to affect both of his eyes.

He also could have a blood flow problem out of his head that is causing high blood pressure and causing the eyes to bulge out.  Often the cause of this is some kind of problem/blockage in the chest, possibly the thyroid gland or some other organ pressing (decreasing flow) on one of the veins coming out of the head area.

Many of these possibilities will require x-rays to see if they can find an area of infection, a mass, and/or blockage/pinched areas.

And if you have already checked the House Rabbit Society web site recommended vets area (www.rabbit.org\vets), the other thing you could do is check at various local or state rescue groups and some local vets who aren't experts in rabbits, and ask them who they would refer a difficult rabbit case to.

Write back anytime, and I will keep you and Burrito in my prayers.  If you are able to learn anything more from your Thursday visit please drop me a note.  Hopefully my suggestions may at least help you in your conversations with the vet.  

Lee