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A rabbit’s large, round eyes give it a full perspective of the world and help it spot predators from far away. That said, these animals are farsighted, and while they can see behind them, their night vision is less developed than that of nocturnal animals like cats. Rabbits are prone to eye problems, but you can ensure that your pet stays healthy by visiting the veterinarian periodically and cleaning their eyes at home. Here, we show you how to clean your rabbit’s eyes and discuss common eye problems experienced by these animals.
The 5 Steps to Clean a Rabbit’s Eyes
If your pet has red eyes or frequently paws at its face, immediately take it to the doctor. When they’re already infected, cleaning the eyes can cause pain and irritation. The veterinarian will show you how to clean the eyes after they’ve been treated. Also, after a full examination, they may perform several tests, including the Schirmer tear test, tonometry, cytologic exams, and fluorescein stains, to determine why the redness occurred. If your pet’s eyes look normal, you can continue to clean its eyes.
1. Ask a Friend to Assist
Some rabbits may be calm enough to sit still for you, but it’s safer to have an assistant when you’re handling something as sensitive as the eyes. A friend who knows the rabbit and is accustomed to holding it is an ideal partner, but you can show someone unfamiliar with your pet how to hold the animal correctly.
2. Place a Towel on a Clean Table
Place your rabbit on a table or elevated structure that will enable you to clean its eyes without bending over. If the animal becomes anxious and tries to run, it can slip on a slick table and injure itself. Place a towel on the table to prevent a slip and provide a more comfortable surface for the rabbit’s feet. Your partner should gently hold the rabbit with one hand under its chin and another hand holding its body when you’re ready to clean the eyes.
3. Wrap a Towel Around the Rabbit If It’s Uncomfortable
Some rabbits, like cats, start squirming when you try to clean or groom them. Use a towel to wrap around the animal so it will not move around when you’re cleaning its eyes. If the creature is agitated and will not sit still, leave it alone and try again when it’s more relaxed.
4. Use a Soft Towel Moistened With Warm Water
Have your assistant raise the rabbit’s face upward, and use a moistened towel to remove dirt and debris near the eyes. If a prior discharge has left a strip of dried material near the tear ducts, place a towel dipped in warm water on the dried material to loosen it up before wiping it away.
5. Apply Saline Drops If Necessary
Dirt or small pieces of hay can irritate the rabbit’s eyes, but you can flush them out with a saline solution. While your partner keeps the rabbit’s head upward, use one hand to hold the eye open with your forefinger and thumb carefully. Then, hold the dropper near the eyes and release a few drops. Avoid hitting the eyeball with the dropper or squeezing the dropper too hard.
Common Causes of a Rabbit’s Eye Problems
Unlike other medical issues with rabbits, eye problems are usually easier for owners to identify. Signs of an eye infection can include redness, pain, inflammation, and appetite loss.
Congenial Issues
Dwarf rabbits and those with short faces are born with unusually narrow tear ducts. Rabbits with abnormal tear ducts are more vulnerable to chronic tearing.
Dental Infections
A dental infection is a common reason for eye problems because the rabbit’s open-rooted molars are located beneath the tear ducts. The incisors and molars continue to grow throughout the animal’s life, and any infected tooth can put pressure on the tear duct and lead to an obstruction.
If the veterinarian removes the tooth, the tearing signs may stop, but the rabbit may have to live with weeping eyes if scarring has occurred in the tear duct. Carefully removing the discharge with a soft, moistened towel and cleaning the rabbit’s face every day will reduce the chances of further problems.
Sinus Abscesses
An abscess that develops in the bone around the tear duct, eye, or sinus can narrow the ducts. An injury or trauma from surgery can also cause a blockage that leads to weeping eyes.
Dacryocystitis
Dacryocystitis is a weeping eye condition that results in a white, mucous-like discharge. It can be caused by several factors, including eyelid wounds, respiratory infections, bacterial infections, dental disease, and tear duct blockage from a foreign body. Dacryocystitis requires immediate veterinary help to prevent further damage to the eyes. Possible treatments for the conditions include antibiotics, eye medications, saline flushes, antibiotic medication, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Conjunctivitis
Like people, rabbits can get pink eye or conjunctivitis. The disease begins as a minor infection but can progress rapidly without proper veterinary treatment. Failure to treat the disease can result in vision loss and an infection that spreads to the brain.
Critical First Aid Supplies for Your Pet Rabbit
Although a veterinarian should treat your rabbit for any troubling signs, it’s good to have a first aid kit filled with items that can help your pet in an emergency. Rabbit experts are not as readily available as vets who treat dogs and cats, and your pet may have to make a long journey with you to the nearest appropriate clinic. Keeping these supplies on hand will ensure that your pet is more comfortable on an emergency trip.
Saline Wash
Flushing the rabbit’s eye with saline can remove a foreign object and clear the discharge from the ducts.
Pet Carrier
Place a towel in the carrier to prevent your rabbit from sliding around, and keep it buckled in during the car trip.
Feeding Syringe
Some rabbits struggle with eating when suffering from medical things like dental issues or gastrointestinal problems. When rabbits stop eating, the healthy GI bacteria are replaced by bacteria that cause excessive gas. Feeding the rabbit with an herbivore formula through a feeding syringe may be the only way to reestablish healthy bacteria levels in the GI tract.
Antiseptic Solution
Rabbits have thin skin that easily tears, but you can treat minor wounds with a veterinary-prescribed antiseptic solution. A large puncture or gash should only be treated by a vet, however.
Styptic Powder
A broken toenail can lead to bleeding, but you can stop the blood loss by using styptic powder or a styptic stick. After the chemical clots the blood, it must be gently washed off to keep the rabbit from licking it.
Portable Fan
Rabbits are vulnerable to overheating, and it’s helpful to have a portable fan to keep your pet cool on long car rides or prevent overheating when your air conditioner malfunctions.
Final Thoughts
Checking your rabbit’s eyes for redness daily, cleaning around them to remove dirt and debris, and using a saline wash to remove foreign particles can prevent complications and possible infections. Rabbits are skilled groomers, but they need a lot of help from their pet parents to stay healthy. Eye infections can be excruciating and detrimental to the animal’s overall health, but your veterinarian can provide effective treatments and advice on treating an illness at home.
Featured Image Credit: SritanaN, Shutterstock
