Rabbit with inflamed tear duct

Question
Hello,
My 3 year old, 10 lb. red satin rabbit is eating but he is acting a little sluggish.  He has been staying in his bedroom most of the day.  I've been out of town for much of the last 2 weeks and my roommate has been taking good care of him.  She had noticed Thursday that his eye was watering and she cleaned off his cheek area which was gooey.  Saturday when I returned home, he had the same problem return.  When I got up this morning (Sunday), the third eyelid or tear duct(?) was protruding from the front of his eye area.  I'm not completely sure if there is damage to his globe or not.

I've been told over the phone that it could be a cornea infection, but I saw your diagnosis of another as a retrobulbal abcess.  Do either of these possibly apply in my situation?

He has been eating still but I did notice that he has been a little off in his litter trained ways.

Please let me know what I should do.  I'm very nervous for him.  Thanks for any help you may be able to provide!!!

Answer
Dear Paul,

If the discharge from his eye is thin and somewhat "milky" it could just be tears, a sign of a blocked tear duct. However, if it really is thick and white (which is more likely if the fur is gooey!), then it is most likely pus, a sign of infection.

Rabbit molars are located directly under the eye, and when a molar becomes infected it often will block the tear duct, invade the sinuses and other areas close by, and cause this problem. The protrusion of the eye does suggest that this could be a retrobulbar abscess--not a corneal problem--but it will take a good veterinarian to examine him to know for sure.

You need a vet who is really familiar with rabbit medicine who can properly diagnose and treat this, and you can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

You also can read more about this here:

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

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

and especially this:

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

I would urge you to read those articles entirely before you bring your bunny to the vet, so you'll know what to ask, and what to be prepared to do.

If your bunny stops eating, or acts even more sluggish, please also read:

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

and

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

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

Dana