Ingrown Eyelash

[BonkeryBoobles]

Okay, so no lectures please but here is my situation.
We are novice bunny keepers and had no idea what we were getting into. We were given 2 lop-eared bunnies, both female, both 4 years old. One (Floppy)is fixed and very friendly. The other one (Finn)is not fixed and aggressive. She also has a weeping eye which the previous owner told me was an ingrown eyelash and that there was nothing you could do about it. We did not know about any health concerns and/or aggression before getting the rabbits. The previous owners are in the process of moving away and don't seem to care anyway.
Here's the problem - I phoned several vets and the consensus is that it would cost about $500 in total to have Finn spayed and an operation for the eye. From what I gather spaying her will greatly ease the aggression plus I can slowly work with her (I've been reading up on how). The problem is that we do not have $500 to have Finn taken to the vet. Maybe sometime down the road but certainly not now. What can I do in the meantime to make her eye comfortable and less weepy? Paricularly because she is so hard to handle. And, do I really need to have her spayed? Will that really ease the aggression or can I get good results with patience and perseverance working with her? I feel foolish now for having a sick rabbit with aggression issues dumped on me but this is the situation we find ourselves in and I want to do what's best for Finn. Any tips and help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[Watermelons]

Yes she should be spayed. And if shes not friendly or easy to handle then the best thing would be the eye surgery. Depending how bad the eye is, I've seen vets (on easy to handle very friendly dogs) simply have the dog in every so often and pluck the eyelashes. But if its rolled more then that the surgery is the only way.
But if the previous owners dont care, I would still be taking her to a vet regardless for a professional oppinion.

 

[MyBabyHasPaws]

Spaying her might not only help with the aggression but it will also help lengthen her life.
maybe she is so aggressive because she has an eyesight problem? I would think that could also contribute.

 

[HEM]

Spaying her would be in your best interest because it could lengthen her life and prevent her from getting uterine cancer.
Spaying her may also help a little bit with her aggression, also.
I would definitely take her in to see a rabbit savy vet.
Hope everything works out!!

 

[Bunnylova4eva]

My guess is that the spay is more expensive then the eyelash surgery. I know for dogs they can freeze off the eyelashed in cases like that. Have you asked about that? Have you asked what it would cost the surgery for the eyelash done now at a minimum to make her more comfortable and maybe down the road do the spay?

 

[Nancy McClelland]

I'd check around some more with other vets and any rescue organizations--you may find someone less expensive as that is really high. One girl we got from Arizona only cost $50. Neutering a male can be put off depending on the bunny, but females live much longer and are better behaved when fixed.

 

[BonkeryBoobles]

Thanks, guys. I have her booked in to see the vet for a 'consult' which costs $80 - maybe it's not an ingrown eyelash and will turn out to be something easier... we'll see. And, yes, I think I'll have to do everything in steps. My next question is: Is she too old to breed (she's 4 and has never had a litter). My neighbour would like to breed her with his buck before I have her spayed. Is this even a good idea? Would she be receptive to a buck?

 

[Bunnylova4eva]

I personally wouldn't think it a wise idea at 4 to breed her being that she's never been breed. That's what we were told when my bunny was that age by my friend who was a breeder-they said if we bred her with one of their bucks that would be fine, but there's a really good chance either nothing would happen or it coul dbe dangerous for her delivering the kits.

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

BonkeryBoobles wrote:

My next question is: Is she too old to breed (she's 4 and has never had a litter). My neighbour would like to breed her with his buck before I have her spayed. Is this even a good idea? Would she be receptive to a buck?

The decision is yours but this is not the best idea. Does should be bred for the first time between 6-8 months old. Honestly, the earlier (within that time frame), the better. By four years old, a doe could be non-receptive at best. At worst, carrying/kindling a litter could be difficult or dangerous if it's her first time.

I'd suggest leaving this doe alone and investing in a younger breeding pair if you're interested in breeding.

 

[BonkeryBoobles]

Thank you all! Finn's eye has all but cleared up leaving me to wonder if it wasn't something in her old environment that was irritating it. We'll see. She has an appointment with the vet next week. I have decided not to breed her but to have her spayed as soon as we can. Thank you for all your awesome input and for not coming down on me for finding myself in this situation!

 

[Imbrium]

it's not your fault if the previous owners failed to disclose some health problems... and you're being an excellent bunny parent by making sure they're resolved!

sounds like the bunnies will be happier and better cared for in their new home