Cat Scratched Rabbit's eye

[MattTren]

"On physical exam today, Bucky was bright and alert. There was significant corneal edema and a large ulcer on his left eye with evidence of white blood cell infiltration. It appears that the corneal ulcer may be deeper than just the surface of the cornea

We are unable to predict whether Bucky's ulcer will progress or heal normally. We are, however, switching him to a stronger topical antibiotic, ciprofloxacin, with the hopes of stopping any serious infection from progressing. We are also starting him on an anti-inflammatory and pain medication (Metacam) which should make Bucky feel more comfortable and help the anterior uveitis (inflammation of the uveal tract of the eye)."

That sounds really bad doesn't it? But then again the doctor said she is not sure, since she is not an eye specialist. She suggestion an ophthalmology consult in a few days.

 

[pla725]

I would schedule that appointment with the specialist.

 

[Pipp]

:yeahthat:

This is somewhat off-topic because this article is for dogs and cats, but it seems to say something I've suspected for awhile -- there is a problem with most topical eye meds.

The article, geared for vets, discusses ways to self-manufacture (if that's the right phrase) antibiotic treatments.

http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/ophthalmology/ophthalmo_files/Tools/ComplicatedUlcers.pdf


Here's an excerpt:

MEDICAL THERAPY SPECIFICS

Typically infected (septic) corneal ulcers can have either cocci or rods, or both; septic ulcers are usually of an aerobic variety. Because the infected cornea can melt down to a full thickness perforation rapidly; one can not wait for culture and a sensitivity result to return before an antimicrobial decision is made. With this in mind, the antimicrobial choice needs to have a great likelihood of being effective. Many of the traditional commercially available drugs (neomycin, bacitracin, gramicidin, and polymyxin b) are not as likely to be effective. Therefore one needs to choose drugs that have a greater potential for efficacy; unfortunately, many of these drugs are not commercially available as an ophthalmic preparation. Therefore special topical preparations of antimicrobials that have greater efficacy must be prepared.

Not all antibiotic preparations can be used topically. The list and recipes that follow cover a wide range of antimicrobials. Formulations below were taken from the UW VMTH Pharmacy; Don Michalski, RPh.

Special Antimicrobials:

Amikacin
Add 500 mg / 2 ml of Amikacin [Amicacina solution 25% IV solution] to 13 ml of Artificial Tears to make concentration of 33 mg/ml. Do not use Tears Naturale (precipitates). Expiration = 1 month

Cefazolin
Add 500 mg / 1.5 ml of Cefazolin (330 mg/ml) to 13.5 ml of Artificial Tears. Exp. = 7 days. Refrigerate. Shake well. The final concentration is 33 mg/ml.

Gentamicin
To make 9 mg/ml final concentration, add 35 mg (0.35 ml of the 100 mg/ml injectable) to 5 ml of gentamicin ophthalmic solution. Exp.: 1 month.

Insulin
Remove 2 ml from Artificial Tears bottle. Add 200 units (U100 - 2 ml) regular insulin. Final concentration = 13.5 units / ml. Exp. = 1 month Refrigerate

Penicillin GK (Penicilina G)
Remove 5 ml from 15 ml Artificial Tears bottle. Add 12 ml sterile water to 20 million unit vial of Penicillin GK (concentration = 1 million units per ml), add 5 ml Penicillin GK to 10 ml Artificial Tears. Final concentration of Penicillin is 333,333 units/ml. Exp. = 7 days. Refrigerate. Shake well.

Tobramycin
To make 9 mg / ml, add 40 mg / ml of Tobramycin injectable to 5 cc of Tobramycin
ophthalmic solution. Exp. = 1 month. [Use Methylcellulose 1% for Artificial Tears Unless Otherwise Indicated]

etc....

A lot of what I've read says that it can take a week to see results so there is still a very good chance he'll be fine, but I'd still take him in to the specialist to make sure he's getting the right meds.


sas :clover:

 

[tonyshuman]

I agree, it may be serious enough that the scratch is not just on the surface of the cornea and has actually gone through one of the layers of the eye. A specialist would be a really good choice.

 

[MattTren]

I am going to the eye specialist tomorrow at 2 at university of Pennsylvania.

 

[Pipp]

How is Bucky now?



sas :?

 

[MattTren]

he is keeping his eye closed, my dad says the white patch is getting smaller but I'm too skirmish to look, he is running around the house a little bit.

 

[Pipp]

Yay! Sounds like its working. (Don't cancel the appt tho!)


sas :clover:

 

[pla725]

Let's us know how the appointment went. I was very happy with the treatment my rabbits received there. Unfortunately the vet I liked there left.

At least with Penn you can make payment arrangements. Most vets won't even consider it.

 

[MattTren]

I must admit Penn was an excellent hospital. Long story short we took Bucky to the Vet three times, he did better for a while. But he still wont' open his eye all the way. Yesterday he was running around acting a nut as he always did, eating really well and everything. But today he is just sitting in a corner not saying much, he has always been picky about his straw even before the eye problem, sometimes he'd eat it, sometimes he doesn't eat it, but his carrots are his addiction, but now he won't even eat a carrot. He isn't' doing well at all. It might be a passing thing, but I know how important it is for rabbits to eat all the time. I'm getting scared here. Maybe the infection spread. I am thinking i should give it a day or two, then Friday if he isn't doing better, take him to the vet and might possible consider putting him down. I know it sounds bad but I rather him die quickly than deal with pain and starvation. I really love him, but want the best for him. Maybe I'm just being overly paranoid though.

 

[MattTren]

Mr. Nut job is back!!! My dad gave him some Gornola, and he wolfed it down, and now he is running around acting a nut, I don't remember him being like this for weeks. It was just strange how quiet he was.

I'm heading off to class. Report back tonight.

 

[MattTren]

He is sticking his nose up to Carrots though which is very very odd for him.

 

[Pipp]

Is he still on antibiotics?


sas :?

 

[MattTren]

Mr. Nut job is back! An hour after I posted this he got back to normal. It really really scared me when he got as quiet as he did.