Eye discharge

[MamaSheepdog]

A couple of my rabbits have a clear discharge from one or both eyes. It does not seem to bother them at all and the eyes themselves appear healthy. Any ideas what this is and how to treat? I favor natural treatments and was thinking of trying a drop of colloidial silver in the affected eyes.

 

[ottersatin]

A clear discharge may be caused by dust or some other irritant in the eye.
If the discharge should become colored I would be very cautious,
as irritations can also be caused by more ominous factors.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[MaggieJ]

Look for what has changed: new bale of hay; new feed or, alternatively, the end of the bag with more fines; closing of windows as the weather cools (concentrates ammonia in the air); new cleaner, perfume or after shave, a smoker in the rabbitry.... These are some of the things that could cause this problem. I suspect a change in ventilation, given the time of year.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Just a clear discharge for now, Ottersatin. My concern is it started with one bun and now some others have it. No sneezing or other symptoms.

Thanks, Maggie. Hmmm- since we have horses and goats we go through a bale a day, so they always get different hay. These bales are really heavy and dense, so I've been using the ends which are packed a little looser. Also, we put up end panels on the bunnybarn, but there is still a lot of ventilation- see pics below. No on the cleaners, perfume, etc., although I do smoke in there sometimes. Bad me, I know- Nat Sherman's though- pure tobacky no nasty additives.

I guess I'll just wipe their eyes and try the colloidial silver for now...