red swollen eyes

[OneOfTheFew]

This bunny is 9 wks old, in a growout cage with 6 others from the same litter. I noticed this morning that the eyes, both of them are red and swollen.
No other issue that I can see.. Any ideas?
Thanks for the help.

 

[Miss M]

Wow... I have never seen that. It could be irritation of some sort, allergic, maybe. Or it could be infection. I wouldn't expect infection to show up in both eyes at the same time... I would expect one, then maybe the other shortly thereafter.

I would isolate him and try to find some ophthalmic antibiotic, or get a small bottle of Vetericyn and spray it in the eyes.

Hopefully, someone else with more eye issue experience will chime in soon.

Welcome to RabbitTalk!

 

[MaggieJ]

Welcome to RabbitTalk, OneOfTheFew. :hi: I wish it were under happier circumstances.

I agree with Miss M... but if you don't have and can't get a suitable eye treatment, applying a warm compress soaked with either black tea or chamomile tea may help. Be sure not to rub the eye area, just press the cotton ball or whatever gently against the eye.

I would definitely isolate this kit from the others. Take care of it last and then wash well and change any clothing that the rabbit may have touched. You don't want this spreading to the rest of the litter.

 

[OneOfTheFew]

This is a meat rabbit, that is very close to my target weight. Would it be safe to dispatch this rabbit and consume?

 

[MaggieJ]

If that is the case, I would certainly dispatch and eat it, well-cooked, of course. I would NOT however feed any parts raw to my other pets, just in case.

 

[Miss M]

Yes, I absolutely agree. Just put in a fricassee or something, where it'll cook thoroughly. I would discard the organs, just to be safe.

Wash thoroughly after butchering, so you can minimize the spread.