Sore in eye duct area

Question
My 5 year old male mixed breed rabbit has had a sore in the corner of his left eye for several weeks and it looks like it's not getting better. Is there something I can do w/o having to go to a vet? I love him very much but I can not afford a vet bill. It does not seem to bother him but it bothers me. He acts normal eats fine etc.. Can you help me please? Thank you in advance. Carolyn Reyes/ and Coconut (my bunny)

Answer
Dear Carolyn,

Is the sore on the *outside* of his eye, or on the skin at the corner of his eye?  If it's on the eye itself, I would make an appointment to see a good vet who might refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist.  I know you say you can't afford a vet visit, but your bunny relies on you for medical care.  He can't do it himself, and this problem is not something you can treat at home, whether the wound is on the eyeball itself or on the skin.

If the sore is on his skin, it could be that his eyes are tearing and running due to a blocked tear duct.  This can be due to something as simple as blockage from dead skin cells and a few bacteria or as complicated as molar root problems pinching the tear duct as it passes through the skull.  Either condition should be seen by a good vet who is familiar with rabbits, and you should find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

You can read more about this specific problem here:

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

and

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

I hope this helps. Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana