Names and symptoms of eye diseases in rabbits, treatment and prevention
Eye diseases are quite common in rabbits. Therefore, it is important to timely identify the disease and properly treat the animal. If you allow the development of disease or eye injury in rabbits, the likelihood of death increases. Of course, you need to trust the treatment of animals to specialists. But owners need to know the symptoms, the causes of common diseases.
Possible eye diseases in rabbits and methods of their treatment
When treating eye diseases of pets, it is important, first of all, to determine the cause of the onset of the disease. Indeed, based on this, treatment is prescribed.
Cataract
The disease leads to partial or complete loss of vision. Symptoms appear as clouding of the eyeball. The disease usually affects adults. Encephalitis carried over at an early age can also provoke lens opacities.
Glaucoma
The increase in pressure inside the eyeball causes visual impairment, which gradually leads to blindness. It is impossible to completely heal the animal. As maintenance therapy, drugs are prescribed that reduce intracranial pressure.
Corneal occlusion
The disease is not common and is thought to mainly affect young males. Symptom - connective tissue grows on the cornea. The defect can be eliminated only by surgery, in the future, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
Conjunctivitis
The most common disease, which manifests itself in the form of inflammation of the cornea, swelling of the eyes. The main reasons for the appearance are allergies, mechanical damage to the eyes. Symptoms of the disease: watery eyes, festering eyes. Treatment is prescribed after determining the cause of conjunctivitis. If the eyes are swollen and festering, a culture test is taken to prescribe an antibiotic.
Keratitis
Disease symptoms: blurred eyes, photophobia, purulent discharge. The cause of the disease is corneal inflammation. Keratitis causes severe pain, so rabbits often refuse food, show aggression, and do not sleep. The course of treatment consists of antibacterial ointments, solutions of antiseptic drugs.
Exophthalmos
The main symptom of the disease is that the eyeball is significantly enlarged, which prevents the animal from blinking. Typically, the cause is a dental abscess that develops behind the eyeball.At the first sign of illness, the rabbit's teeth and gums should be carefully examined. Unfortunately, the animal can only be cured by surgery - the eyeball is removed.
Dacryocystitis
The disease most often causes eye lesions with rhinitis, conjunctivitis. Or, dacryocystitis can be caused by infections of the teeth, gums, and manifests itself in pus in the eyes. If the cause is dental problems, then, first of all, you need to stop the focus of infection in the mouth cavity.
Corneal ulcer
Injuries or erosion of the cornea provoke the appearance of ulcers, which are divided into several types:
- non-healing;
- infected;
- sterile;
- progressive.
A corneal defect is not difficult to spot. It is recommended to do a surgical removal of dead tissue, prescribe antibiotic therapy.
Uveitis
Eye injuries or infections can cause illness. Symptoms: constriction of the pupil, spots on the cornea, lacrimation, animals avoid illuminated places. The main prescriptions are antibacterial drugs, corticosteroid drugs, drops or ointments.
Myxomatosis
Signs: subcutaneous edema of the eyelids, ears, sometimes the entire head. Myxomatosis spreads quickly among animals, it is practically not treated.
The spread of the virus is mosquitoes, flies, so it is important to eliminate foci of their reproduction. They also carry out pest control of premises, and vaccinate healthy animals.
Epiphora
The disease occurs due to blockage and inflammation of the lacrimal canals. The reasons for the appearance of the epiphora are different:
- genetic defects in the formation of the nasolacrimal ducts;
- improper formation of the eyelids;
- violations of the germination of dental roots.
Treatment is prescribed based on the cause of the epiphora development. In the case of dental roots, the teeth are simply removed.
Blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelids (lower or upper) is usually caused by contact with the eyes of harmful chemical solutions, mechanical damage. Sunburn can also trigger blepharitis. In a neglected state, ulcers form on the eyelids, pus is released. When the first symptoms appear, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs (drops, ointments) are used.
Entropy of the eyelids
Running diseases (blepharitis, keratitis) sometimes provoke the turning of the eyelids into the eye. Naturally, the eyelashes in this case injure the mucous membrane, inflammation of the eyes begins. Sometimes entropy is a congenital defect in the rabbit. The entropy of the eyelids cannot be eliminated by therapy alone; a surgical solution is necessary.
Eversion of the eyelids
The disease manifests itself in the form of swollen eyelids, drooping down. Associated symptoms:
- exposure of the conjunctiva;
- lacrimation;
- or drying out of the mucous membrane.
The shape of the eyelids is restored with the help of surgery. During the rehabilitation period, the animal is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. If an infection is additionally detected, antibiotics are prescribed.
Prevention of eye diseases
It is known that it is easier to prevent the onset of a disease than to cure it. The main preventive measures when keeping rabbits:
- a complete diet enriched with vitamins and minerals;
- cleaning of cells;
- keeping animals in a place protected from direct sunlight and drafts;
- periodic inspection of pets.
It is also important to prevent harmful chemicals from entering animals and cells. Vaccination helps prevent the emergence and spread of infections. If alarming symptoms appear, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. It is impossible to protect pets from all diseases or accidental injury. However, disease prevention, timely vaccination, and proper care of animals significantly reduce the risk of disease occurrence and spread.
