Bunny eye problems

[KittyKatMe]

I have a litter of week old babies. All have opened their eyes, except one. She is the runt. She has some crust/discharge on her eyelids. What is it, and how can I help? She is also a bit lethargic, is this part of the problem?

 

[LakeCondo]

Is the discharge clear or of some color?

I don't know if at that age you should use human saline solution to rinse the eyes.

I have no experience with kits, but I;m assuming you;re making sure the runt gets as much milk as the others.

 

[majorv]

Kits should have their eyes open by 12-14 days. Runts may be just a little longer. You could use a soft towel and warm water and gently wash his eyelids off. The warm water might help loosen the eyelids so that if you gently try to separate the eyelids they'll open. Don't force it though. Just wait a day and try again.

 

[wendymac]

It sounds like "nest box eye". I know a lot of breeders will apply neosporin on the eyelids, but I haven't dealt with it personally yet.

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

I dont know... I would probably try the warm water thing. Sounds pretty safe.

 

[ZRabbits]

Poor little runt. I would try the warm water first to see if it helpsher/him openeyes and also to see ifthe crust comes back. I would go right to the neosporin if she wasn't a runt, because of the lethargy (could be infection, have read about nest box eye), but with runts it's so tough to tell what's going on.

Wishing you luck with the runt. Please keep us posted.

K

 

[KittyKatMe]

I tried the warm water thing, and today she opened them. But there is still crust on her eyelids and it seems like she might be partially blind in one eye; it is a very light color compared to the other. She is broken blue otter, is it a color thing or could she have real eye problems?

 

[ZRabbits]

Color is just one part of the link in bunny genetics. This sweetie is a runt, so with runts, things happen. I think with the crustiness, the lethargy and now the color of the eye, something is gong on and it's not good.

I'm hoping other breeders come on to give you some insight on what's going on. I think this bunny needs something more than neosporin.

K

 

[wendymac]

If it were my kit, I'd apply the Neosporin to try to clear up the gunk. Even if she is a runt, it can spread to the others in the litter, too. Every breeder I've talked to does this, and they say it works. I haven't had this problem yet, but do have Neosporin on hand, just in case.

When you say "very light" is it looking cloudy?

 

[KittyKatMe]

I tried the Neosporin, and am waiting for results. But as it turns out, the lightness was mucous. But I am trying really hard to help her get better. I think the lethargy was from dehydration, so I gave her some formula and she did well. I hope she gets better!

 

[LakeCondo]

Things are moving in the right direction.

 

[wendymac]

Sounds like you're on the right path. I'd keep using a warm washcloth to remove as much of the gunk as possible, and then the Neosporin. How's she doing today?

 

[KittyKatMe]

Better, actually! I did the Neosporin again and it seems to be working and she is now moving about like the others. As of today, 12 days old, she is 3 oz. But I think she will be just finre!

 

[ZRabbits]

Thanks for the update. So glad to hear about the little runt!

K

 

[wendymac]

That's great news! I'm glad the Neosporin is doing the trick. I had been told that was the treatment, but haven't had to deal with it yet. Now for pictures.... LOL