conjuctivitis recovery (RIP)

[fluffy bunnies]

Hi, my lionhead has very big swollen eyes, she has been to the vets and they said it looks like myxi but could be a bad eye infection, she is eating, drinking and pooing as normal. She has antibiotic cream for eye and antibiotic to be given by mouth, if it is conjuctivitis how long does it take before the swelling starts going down. She is 10 weeks old. im sure if it was myxi she would not be eating or jumping around her cage, she was in a hutch with her sister and have now seperated and brought her in doors, thanks kerry.

 

[Maureen Las]

Hi

Our expert on myxi is not on-line right now, however I want to ask you if she has been vaccinated for myxi.
if so a rabbit may still get a milderless lethal form of it.

We sure hope that it isn't that !

if it is conjunctivitis and the antibiotic is specific to the bacteria in the eye then within a few days you should be able to see a positive response.

We have a video of a rabbit with conjunctivitis somewhere in the library ;I will continue to look for it and post it whenI find it.
Let us know how things go

 

[tonyshuman]

I agree that the only thing you can do is to treat for conjunctivitis. There isn't a lot you can do for myxi. Definitely keep them separate for now, and I'd disinfect the hutch as well. Good luck~~

 

[Pipp]

Hi Fluffy Bunnies, can you put your location in your profile? I assume you're in the U.K.

Is there Myxi in your area?

Have you noticed any swelling elsewhere other than the eyes? Any nasal discharge, swelling or lumps around the head, lips, ears or genitals?

Lethargy is often among the first signs of Myxomatosis, but it doesn't last. For the first few days they may have a high temperature, drink more water than usual and eat less food.

But after a few days they often appear normal, eating as much if not more than usual although maybe drinking less. Its at this point the eye discharge may start.

Around day seven, they get a nasal discharge, they look irritated, cold, and bumps can start appearing. From there they may have trouble urinating, eyes, lips, genitals, ears, nose, etc, really swell and the cause is obvious.

If its conjunctivitis, the ointment and antibiotics should start working very soon. I'm treating two of my bunnies right now and there was improvement in 24 hours.

I really hope that's all this is.


sas ray:

 

[Flashy]

What other conditions are there that make the eyes swell? Abscesses? Extreme Dental issues?

I would also think maybe she should be on something like Metacam?

If she has been vaccinated then there is hope for fighting against the myxi because with the right care, a good rabbit savvy vet and a bit of luck they can come through it, but if she has not been vaccinated and it appears to be myxi then the kindest thing is to get her PTS.

Also, myxi is carried and passed by flies and fleas so its important to take as many precautions as possible to protect your buns against them.

If your bun has been vaccinated then keeping it warm is really important because its been shown that they have a higher recovery rate if they are kept warmer. So good on you for moving her in.

Given you have now separated them, your girls won't be able to go back together until they have both been spayed, so don't be tempted to just put them together because that could be very risky for both buns. But tat bridge can be crossed if we come to it.

Could you please put your location in your profile? That will enable you to get more specialist help because it differs country to country.

 

[Pipp]

I think at 10 weeks old, you're looking at an infection or the myxi virus.

What's the minimum age they can be vaccinated?

Lots of good points, here... keeping her warm, dealing with the mosquitoes, fleas and other carriers, re-bonding, etc.

Please update us when you can.


sas :clover:

 

[Flashy]

I have a feeling the absolute minimum age is 6 weeks, but most vets prefer to wait until 12 but don't quote me on that, I'll see what I can find, literature wise.

 

[Flashy]

http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/care/vaccination.asp

This is an article from a reliable UK based site.

 

[fluffy bunnies]

Hi we have only had them for about a week then i notised her eyes well it started with just one of them then the next day both of them, thats when i took her straight to the vets. They have not been vacinated yet they were settling into there new home. she is eating and drinking really well, but her eyes are still shut, she has been doing a few sneezes but no discharge, cant find any lumps on her and no swelling anywhere else. I feel sorry for the other rabbit cos we are not holding her at the moment untill sandy gets better.

 

[Flashy]

What country are you in?

What medication is she on? Like specifically?

Also, why are you not holding your other bun?

 

[fluffy bunnies]

Hi, im in Harlow Essex, she is on Baytril oral solution and Fucithalmic cream for eyes, im worried i would pass the invection on the the other rabbit, i do wash my hands with Hibi Scrub afer i held her but just worried.

 

[Flashy]

As far as I know there is no particular evidence that it can pass rabbit to rabbit, but obviously if one rabbit is inhabited by fleas/mites, etc, the things that pass it on, then the other rabbit is at risk if that was the method of contamination.

You're not too far from me (in the grand scale of the UK, lol), I live near Colchester.

I think its a case of waiting and seeing and being observant. Keep checking her over for other signs of myxi like swollen genitals, and waiting. If you see no improvement within a few days (or she gets worse or shows more signs), then the kindest thing to do for her is to let her go because she can't beat it if she is not vaccinated.

For now we hope it is just an eye infection. And then we hope some more and keep hoping.

What a horrid situation to be in.

Have you contacted whoever you got her from? They may be able to shed some light, or tell you if any of the litter mates, or shed mates have had any similar problems.

 

[Flashy]

As an after thought, if you can I would suggest calling your vets and getting some Metacam today. Given they have already seen her they should be willing to prescribe it without seeing her again. It will hopefully reduce some eye swelling but also the eyes will be sore and should help with that too.

 

[fluffy bunnies]

ok i will phone them soon, and this will defo get rid od swelling to the eyes.

 

[Flashy]

It won't definitely, but it should make your bun feel a bit better.

 

[fluffy bunnies]

not good news, just looked giving her medicine and her bits are swollen, but she is still eating and jumping around her cage.

 

[Flashy]

I think that's probably pretty conclusive. I'm really sorry. She needs to go to the vet today so they can see and work out if they think it is myxi.

To those in the know does Vent disease ever present this way?

 

[Flashy]

Any news? Did you go back to the vet?

 

[tonyshuman]

Vent disease can present as crusty sores around the eyes and nose, as well as the genital region. However, it doesn't usually have runny eyes--they're more crusty and dry. It sounds like myxi to me, not that I know much.

 

[Flashy]

Thanks Claire, that was what I thought, in terms of vent disease, I just didn't want to rule it out.