Really bad eye

[isabel_hello]

My 4-year old mini lop has a really bad eye infection. He used to be my show rabbit, but is now just my brothers pet. His eye is normal but it started with just a runny eye, and we got medicine for it from the vet, but it quickly came back worse. The medicine is super expensive too! Now it's *****, his fur is matted, and closer to the eye its red. I've been putting medicine on it but it wont go away! I have 9 other show rabbits and none have this problem. His cage is clean, the tray is cleaned often, and he still has an appetite and drinks! I know that mini lops have bulldog heads and bulldog heads have eye problems, but i don't know what else to do! My mom doesn't want to pay for a pet visit, and i love my bunny and i don't know what else to do!!

 

[JBun]

There are a few things that can cause runny eye problems in rabbits, including dental problems. Rabbits tooth bases can overgrow into their jaw and also put pressure on tear ducts, causing the runny eye problems. Your vet would need to take xrays to discover if this is what is causing the problem. You could try a different type of eye drop to see if it helps, but if eye drops don't clear it up, the other causes of runny eyes are something that requires vet care and further testing.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/weepy.pdf
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

If your vet isn't a very experienced rabbit vet, I would suggest finding another exotics vet to take your rabbit to. You can look on these lists to see if there may be a good one near you.
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f28/finding-vet-13366/
http://rabbit.org/vet-listings/

ETA: If there is a continuing eye infection problem, it could be there is an infection in his mouth, or abscess that is contributing to the problem. Your vet should do a thorough check of your rabbits mouth as well.

 

[Imbrium]

I second everything Jenny said - unfortunately, persistent eye problems are usually indicative of a more serious underlying issue and only a rabbit-savvy vet will be able to pinpoint the cause .

 

[Bindi]

Some vets are willing to let you pay in installments. Would this be more favourable to your mother? I don't know how old you are, but you could offer to do chores for her etc perhaps... or if you are old enough maybe, I don't know, sell cupcakes or something to raise a little bit of money to pay her back with?

 

[hutch83]

having exactly the same problems with my little boy, started off runny and then the nictitating membrane (third eyelid) started to show and go red. had the same as you, first vet said it was an infection and gave me eye drops but a week later it was worse. took him for a second opinion at a rabbit savvy vets where he got an ultrasound and it turns out he has an abscess behind his eye which is causing it to run and blocking up his tear ducts suggest a second opinion and keeping fingers crossed for you!