Lacerated Cornea and Lens

[adnyl68]

Thanks for your added posts. I don't mind the dissention as I am welcoming any and all opinions right now. I understand that a laceration is worse than an ulcer. Beau has both actually.

I guess I don't really understand why a corneal laceration can't heal itself. That said, I am indeed taking him to the vet tommorrow and this time am writing down all my questions. I was way too emotional before and really wasn't taking in much.

I understand the point about Beau being on meds so he doesn't feel it but I was away from Christmas with him when it happened and it was two days before we could get to a vet (I was in a small town and no vets were open). Even before he was not on the pain meds he was still active and showed no sign of distress. I guess this just led me to believe it wasn't that bad (wishful thinking perhaps?)

I'll let you know what the vet says tomorrow, but I really don't know what I can do as the surgery to fix the eye is $3500.00 and to remove the eye is $1500, neither of which I can afford right now.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

May I suggest that you bring another person with you to the vets? I find that having someone along who isn't as emotionally wraught is really helpful.

Agreed, take notes, or get a friend to take notes while you listen.

I would ask about the treatment described by bunchofbuns,
as well as the treatment option described by jubjub.

Ask the vet whether they think either of these solutions would work... seems to me they have offered a surgical fix, as well as an eye removal (surgical) option, but no passive option...

Is there another option still available?

Be very clear with the vet about your financial reality - see if there is a strategy that they can offer that fits your budget.
There may be a number 3 or 4 option that doesn't have the same results as surgery necessarily, but will still result in a happy healthy bunny.

There is also a pinned topic at the top of this forum discussing payment options for when your pet is sick.

So sorry to hear you are dealing with this situation - very emotionally and financially challenging I'm sure :hug:

 

[OneTwoThree]

There's something called Care Credit you might be to get, here - http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/
You might be able to get it in Canada?

Rabbits are a prey animal, so for the sake of survival, they tend not to show pain, nearly ever.

I don't have an answer to why it wont heal itself. It just wont? Its not like skin, where we can bleed then clot and then re-knit. Everything I've read says its extremely painful for humans Here's a source I found for dogs-http://www.petplace.com/dogs/corneal-laceration-in-dogs/page1.aspx it says some causes, symptoms and treatments. It also says "There is no home care for corneal laceration".
Let us know what the vet says. ((hug))

 

[adnyl68]

You are NorthernAutumn, I am completely gutted about this. If it were any other time other than after Christmas I would be able to spare more money. I did not take getting a rabit lightly and knew the responsibility but this is the worst time of year for my bank account!

I know that without surgery he will probably lose sight in his eye. I'm sure he can see very little out of it now as it is clouded over. I just need to find out if there is a way it can heal even if he caanot see out of it afterwards.

Tonight he ran up and down the stairs a few times, up onto the couch and down again and walked up to the patio door in the daylight and looked out for a while with both eyes open. I hope these are all good signs??

 

[NorthernAutumn]

If nothing else, it tells you the pain meds are working.
Means less stress - less stress is always better than more stress when it comes to buns.
Thinking of you both...ray:

 

[wendymac]

It depends on whether the laceration also penetrated the orb globe (the eyeball itself) or not. If so, then he'll probably lose his eye.

I had a mini stallion that lacerated his cornea, into the globe. He lost the eye (the eye is made up of fluid inside, that's what keeps it round) because the eye fluids leaked out. It couldn't be fixed. I didn't have to have it surgically removed, because it eventually dried up and fell out on its own. Then it was either stitch it shut or get a glass eye. Since the glass eyes are around $5,000, plus vet expenses to have the socket "readied", we just stitched his eyelids shut.

Good luck with your bun, and let us know what you find out! Prayers for you both!

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Found a really good old thread on here, with some excellent medical advice - you may want to read it over/print it out and show your vet. Sounds like a very similar situation.

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=58154&forum_id=16&highlight=eye+cornea

 

[adnyl68]

Onetwothree thank you so much for the article on dogs...I thought I had searched the whole internet but hadn't seen that. I will print it out so I know the lingo before the appointment tomorrow.

And, Wendymac, that is exactly the question I need to ask! I need to know if the Aqueus and/or Viterous Humour has leaked through the tear in the lens. The vet did say that he saw fibrin over one of the tears so hopefully that formed before any liquid came out??(there are two tears and a corneal ulcer)

 

[adnyl68]

NorthAutumn, thanks for the link . I saw that one too but good idea to print it out!

 

[adnyl68]

Follow-up appointment changed to tommorrow...will keep you posted.

 

[adnyl68]

Hello All,

Well, I have now been to see a regular vet ( eye exam and medications $235), a veterenarian opthalmologist ($150) and an avian & exotic animal specialist ($100). All of them tell me the enucleation (eye removal @ $1000-$1500) is the best option for Beau's quality of life.

The $3500 surgery the opthalmologist suggested had no guarantee of success and would have been a complicated procedure with added risk (not to mention more time under anesthetic) I was told it was quite possible that after putting Beau through all of that if it didn't work there would be no option other than enucleation.

So, after much research, stress and anxiety. I'll be calling tomorrow to book the surgery for my poor little bunny. I think sometimes just making the decision is the hardest part!

Thank you all for your support and advice. It has been greatly appreciated.

Lynda

 

[bunchofbuns]

Sorry, coming on belatedly to say that I did not realize your bun and mine were suffering different injuries. I am so sorry. I'm not a technical person - I get about as far advanced in medical terminology as to say my bun has an ouchie here or there.

If the vets at CEAH are telling you that your best bet is removal, you can trust that. In my years of history with them, they actively discourage unnecessary procedures and put the animal's comfort first. Your bun could not be in better hands, with concerned vets and such a loving mother.

I know buns who have had an eye ennucleated and they care - not one bit. It's far harder on the human, I think. We feel a loss, but they don't. They will adapt after their first run or two around the living room.

Surgery is always scary though, so our thoughts are with you. But we are confident your bunny will be fine. He's a tough dude, we can tell!

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Thinking of you and Beau, Lynda...
Good vibes and prayers being sent your way for a complication-free surgery, and speedy recovery ray:

Looking forward to photos of his little pirate-y self when he feels up to it!
(Tiny bunny eye-patches!)

(Seriously though, best of luck!)