Eye infection?

[KyBuck]

I recently swapped some bucks with a nearby breeder in order to get some new blood lines in my breeding stock. I inspected each buck, but one defect slipped by me I guess. I've quarantined him until I figure what's wrong with him. Taking him to the vet would cost more than he's worth to me. Any help answering if he's contagious (he was transported back to my place in a 4 compartment transport bin), is it treatable, and will it affect the meat if I have to dispatch him is appreciated.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Hi Kybuck!

:welcomewagon:

Welcome to RabbitTalk!

I've quarantined him until I figure what's wrong with him.

That was wise. Feed and water him last!

I hope the other boys are in quarantine as well?

Taking him to the vet would cost more than he's worth to me.

Most of us here treat our own animals, not only because many of us raise for meat and so consider them livestock, but also because it is hard to find a rabbit savvy vet.

Any help answering if he's contagious

He may be... sometimes discharge from the eyes indicates pasteurella. Watch him for sneezing or a snotty nose.

is it treatable

You can make an eyewash using tea (preferably chamomile) and raw honey. Rinse his eye at least twice a day. Also pull back the eyelids to check for a foreign body that may be irritating the eyeball.

will it affect the meat if I have to dispatch him

The meat will be perfectly fine- and honestly, dispatching him would be the best thing if a foreign body is not the cause.

The infected eye indicates that his immune system is not as strong as it should be, and you don't really want to pass that trait on.

 

[imajpm]

Is that an abrasion on his eye? Or the photo? Looks pitted. I've had eye infections and they did spread from rabbit to rabbit with close contact.

 

[KyBuck]

It's not pitted. I took a clean warm washcloth to his face and cleaned him up. I tried my best to look in his eyelid and didn't see anything. He wasn't happy with any of it and tried to "attack" me the whole time :evil:

Since he's come in contact with the other three bucks and even though they're quarantined from everyone else I'm concerned about the safety of my herd. I've called around and found a small animal vet. He thinks it's conjunctivitis by the way I described it. No sniffles or discharge from the nose. He's also eating good, poop and urine looks like it should and he is active. If it is conjunctivitis I'll treat him and hope he gets better. He's was the only mature buck out of bunch and I was looking forward to introducing him to my girls

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I've called around and found a small animal vet. He thinks it's conjunctivitis by the way I described it.

"Conjunctivitis" (inflammation of the surface of the eyeball and the eyelids) is not a diagnosis, it is a symptom. It can be caused by irritation from a foreign body, or any number of diseases.

Text below is from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictio ... unctivitis

Definition

Conjuctivitis is an inflammation or redness of the lining of the white part of the eye and the underside of the eyelid (conjunctiva) that can be caused by infection, allergic reaction, or physical agents like infrared or ultraviolet light.

Description

Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin, delicate membrane that covers the eyeball and lines the eyelid. Conjunctivitis is an extremely common eye problem because the conjunctiva is continually exposed to microorganisms and environmental agents that can cause infections or allergic reactions. Conjunctivitis can be acute or chronic depending upon how long the condition lasts, the severity of symptoms, and the type of organism or agent involved. It can also affect one or both eyes and, if caused by infection, can be very easily transmitted to others during close physical contact, particularly among children in a daycare center. Other names for conjunctivitis include pink eye and red eye.

Causes and symptoms

Conjunctivitis may be caused by a viral infection, such as a cold, acute respiratory infection, or disease such as measles, herpes simplex, or herpes zoster. Symptoms include mild to severe discomfort in one or both eyes, redness, swelling of the eyelids, and watery, yellow, or green discharge. Symptoms may last anywhere from several days to two weeks. Infection with an adenovirus, however, may also cause a significant amount of pus-like discharge and a scratchy, foreign body-type of sensation in the eye. This may also be accompanied by swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes near the ear.

Bacterial conjunctivitis can occur in adults and children and is caused by organisms such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Hemophilus. Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis include a pus-like discharge and crusty eyelids after awakening. Redness of the conjunctiva can be mild to severe and may be accompanied by swelling. Persons with symptoms of conjunctivitis who are sexually active may possibly be infected with the bacteria that cause either gonorrhea or chlamydia. There may be large amounts of pus-like discharge, and symptoms may include intolerance to light (photophobia), watery mucous discharge, and tenderness in the lymph nodes near the ear that may persist for up to three months.

Conjunctivitis may also be caused by environmental hazards, such as wind, smoke, dust, and allergic reactions caused by pollen, dust, or grass. Symptoms range from itching and redness to a mucous discharge. Persons who wear contact lenses may develop allergic conjunctivitis caused by the various eye solutions and foreign proteins contained in them.
Other less common causes of conjunctivitis include exposure to sun lamps or the electrical arcs used during welding, and problems with inadequate drainage of the tear ducts.

 

[macksmom98]

How is this rabbit doing? What worked to clear up the eye?