Reoccuring Eye Problem

[danakscully64]

Hi everyone! I've posted about my bunny before, he's had a reoccurring eye discharge since last April. He's about 7 or 8 and the discharge is milky. Previous Thread

1st vet visit - Given eye drops, Gentamicin Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution USP, .3%.

2nd vet visit (November) - He had stomach issues and his eye issue wasn't a priority, but he was sent home with medication (Baytril). I also got more Gentamicin from a vet a few days before.

3rd visit (just over a week ago) - He was acting strange and not eating, so I took him in. He stayed for 2 nights and came home with Baytril (he was perfectly fine after the overnight stay). We scheduled another appointment for a sedation and tooth trimming to take care of the eye issue.

4th Visit (today) - Just got a call from the vet and his teeth looked pretty good. I told them to X-Ray him if they felt it was necessary and they did, found nothing abnormal. They did flush his nasal area (he's been sneezing) and are sending him home with anti-inflammatory medication. He will be rechecked on friday.


I'm wondering if you think the current course of treatment sounds good. Also, if teeth aren't an issue, what is likely the cause of the discharge? If it is an infection, why didn't any of the antibiotics work and why did his body not fight it off (a year is along time to have an infection)?

Thank You!

 

[danakscully64]

Here's a recent picture of my guy:

You can kinda see the issue with his eye, the fur around it is hard and sticky.

 

[Pipp]

:inlove:

I had to try three different eye ointment antibiotics before I found one that worked. Eyes seem to be finicky like that.

And now I've forgotten which of the three did work, darnit!

I'll have to dig them up.


sas :clover:

 

[danakscully64]

Thanks, Pipp I'm leaving right now to pick him up. I'm going to ask the vet if this course of treatment doesn't work if I can just call in for new meds. It's $50 to be seen every time and I'm unemployed. I hope the vet can figure out a course of treatment that will work

 

[ra7751]

If there were no problems with the upper arcade roots, I really feel you are wasting time and money by using Baytril. Many vets are still hung up on this drug because it is "safe". Well, it's not much good if it doesn't work. Idealy, a culture of any discharge should be performed and treated accordingly. Most eye infections are pasteurella and currently the most effective drug against this bacteria is Zithromax.

Randy

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

danakscully64 wrote:

Hi everyone! I've posted about my bunny before, he's had a reoccurring eye discharge since last April. He's about 7 or 8 and the discharge is milky. Previous Thread

1st vet visit - Given eye drops, Gentamicin Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution USP, .3%.

2nd vet visit (November) - He had stomach issues and his eye issue wasn't a priority, but he was sent home with medication (Baytril). I also got more Gentamicin from a vet a few days before.

3rd visit (just over a week ago) - He was acting strange and not eating, so I took him in. He stayed for 2 nights and came home with Baytril (he was perfectly fine after the overnight stay). We scheduled another appointment for a sedation and tooth trimming to take care of the eye issue.

4th Visit (today) - Just got a call from the vet and his teeth looked pretty good. I told them to X-Ray him if they felt it was necessary and they did, found nothing abnormal. They did flush his nasal area (he's been sneezing) and are sending him home with anti-inflammatory medication. He will be rechecked on friday.


I'm wondering if you think the current course of treatment sounds good. Also, if teeth aren't an issue, what is likely the cause of the discharge? If it is an infection, why didn't any of the antibiotics work and why did his body not fight it off (a year is along time to have an infection)?

Thank You!

lots of questions,,of course this is already covered on my website.//.either a dental issue or infection or both.//a facial radiogragh-should have been done first,--but when it was done,,no eye teeth into the tear ducts--wow--,,was a nasal culture done.??.this is mandatory--otherwise,how would you know a course of action.??.what bacteria,,antibiotic.??--i would find another exotic specialist--unless this guy wakes up and starts doing it right,..-anytime oral antibiotics are given--you must counter with a probiotic-(benebac)-the gitract-flora- is affected and proper fermentation of grasses cannot take place.//.which brings us full circle,,a dietary issue.//.teeth grow at a rate of 3mm per week,,these monthly trimmings are not only tramatic they are expensive,,nondigestible-fiber-( grasses,ie.timothy/orchard)--make up 70% of the daily diet,,digestible fiber is a small part of the equation,,quality/lowfat-pellets--only a small amount daily-for nutrition and vitamins,,fruit tree branches/twigs,,weeds-all from the safe list(adoptarabbit)-,please don,t find me tearse,,i am very concerned about how much the rabbit has been through,,and i think the clock is ticking-,,sincerely james waller

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

ra7751 wrote:

If there were no problems with the upper arcade roots, I really feel you are wasting time and money by using Baytril. Many vets are still hung up on this drug because it is "safe". Well, it's not much good if it doesn't work. Idealy, a culture of any discharge should be performed and treated accordingly. Most eye infections are pasteurella and currently the most effective drug against this bacteria is Zithromax.

Randy

hi,randy much appreciate your experiences in this field.//.how does flagyl stack up against-zithromax---for pasteurella,,also-..i have one rabbit with a foot abscess(spider bite)??..sincerely james waller

 

[danakscully64]

ra7751 wrote:

If there were no problems with the upper arcade roots, I really feel you are wasting time and money by using Baytril. Many vets are still hung up on this drug because it is "safe". Well, it's not much good if it doesn't work. Idealy, a culture of any discharge should be performed and treated accordingly. Most eye infections are pasteurella and currently the most effective drug against this bacteria is Zithromax.

Randy

Hi again, Randy!

The eye thing wasn't the main focus both times Baytril was prescribed. Both times he stopped eating, they were afraid he had some kind of infection going on. The eye was always second to his eating issues. I go in for a recheck on Friday and I'm going to ask the vet about getting a culture done. I might call them about it tonight actually. Is it likely just an infection?

 

[danakscully64]

james waller wrote:

danakscully64 wrote:

Hi everyone! I've posted about my bunny before, he's had a reoccurring eye discharge since last April. He's about 7 or 8 and the discharge is milky. Previous Thread

1st vet visit - Given eye drops, Gentamicin Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution USP, .3%.

2nd vet visit (November) - He had stomach issues and his eye issue wasn't a priority, but he was sent home with medication (Baytril). I also got more Gentamicin from a vet a few days before.

3rd visit (just over a week ago) - He was acting strange and not eating, so I took him in. He stayed for 2 nights and came home with Baytril (he was perfectly fine after the overnight stay). We scheduled another appointment for a sedation and tooth trimming to take care of the eye issue.

4th Visit (today) - Just got a call from the vet and his teeth looked pretty good. I told them to X-Ray him if they felt it was necessary and they did, found nothing abnormal. They did flush his nasal area (he's been sneezing) and are sending him home with anti-inflammatory medication. He will be rechecked on friday.


I'm wondering if you think the current course of treatment sounds good. Also, if teeth aren't an issue, what is likely the cause of the discharge? If it is an infection, why didn't any of the antibiotics work and why did his body not fight it off (a year is along time to have an infection)?

Thank You!

lots of questions,,of course this is already covered on my website.//.either a dental issue or infection or both.//a facial radiogragh-should have been done first,--but when it was done,,no eye teeth into the tear ducts--wow--,,was a nasal culture done.??.this is mandatory--otherwise,how would you know a course of action.??.what bacteria,,antibiotic.??--i would find another exotic specialist--unless this guy wakes up and starts doing it right,..-anytime oral antibiotics are given--you must counter with a probiotic-(benebac)-the gitract-flora- is affected and proper fermentation of grasses cannot take place.//.which brings us full circle,,a dietary issue.//.teeth grow at a rate of 3mm per week,,these monthly trimmings are not only tramatic they are expensive,,nondigestible-fiber-( grasses,ie.timothy/orchard)--make up 70% of the daily diet,,digestible fiber is a small part of the equation,,quality/lowfat-pellets--only a small amount daily-for nutrition and vitamins,,fruit tree branches/twigs,,weeds-all from the safe list(adoptarabbit)-,please don,t find me tearse,,i am very concerned about how much the rabbit has been through,,and i think the clock is ticking-,,sincerely james waller

Hey James!

No other small animal vets around... at all. They only trimmed his teeth down a bit, they said they honestly looked great, especially considering he doesn't eat hay. This was his first trimming in 7 years and he didn't even really need it. He's a picky rabbit, he won't touch most things. I think it's a bacterial infection or maybe even related to allergies. Could chinchilla dust be contributing to the problem? I never find it in his cage or anything, but it's in the air.

I think I'm just going to ask to vet to check for infection. Thanks

 

[tonyshuman]

Glad that you did get his tooth roots x-rayed, and he has the most adorable chubby cheeks!

I think a different eye drop or systemic antibiotic is needed. I think Randy has treated some bad eye infections with a combination of Penicillin G benzathine/procaine (injected) and oral zithromax. Silvadine eye drops seem to work well too, from what I remember.

James, the best thing for most abscesses is bicillin, at least from what I've read.

 

[danakscully64]

tonyshuman wrote:

Glad that you did get his tooth roots x-rayed, and he has the most adorable chubby cheeks!

I think a different eye drop or systemic antibiotic is needed. I think Randy has treated some bad eye infections with a combination of Penicillin G benzathine/procaine (injected) and oral zithromax. Silvadine eye drops seem to work well too, from what I remember.

James, the best thing for most abscesses is bicillin, at least from what I've read.

Thank You, I will tell him you said so

Is milky discharge typically an infection if teeth aren't a factor?

 

[danakscully64]

The gave me flurbiprofen for his eye. Should I use it or not?

 

[tonyshuman]

Well that's weird. Fluriprofen is a NSAID--nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug--like tylenol or ibuprofen. It's better than using steroids in the eye, but it's not antibiotic and won't kill any bacteria.

http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/flurbiprofen-ocufen-flurbiprofen/page1.aspx

I guess for a different eye drop I was thinking a different antibiotic would help, like silvadine eye drops, chloramphenicol eye salve--I think I remember hearing those used before? I couldn't find them on Medirabbit, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

A different systemic antibiotic that might help is zithromax or chloramphenicol, given orally. Others that are good include injectibles: penicillin G procaine/benzathine, Convenia

 

[Pipp]

tonyshuman wrote:

Well that's weird. Fluriprofen is a NSAID--nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug--like tylenol or ibuprofen. I

Tylenol is not an NSAID. And its not a good drug for rabbits. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is the usual backup plan when there's no Metacam.

No idea about Flurbiprofen, I think that's a different kind of NSAID.


sas :bunnydance:

 

[Pipp]

Milky discharge could be teeth, middle ear or eye, they're very much connected.


sas :bunnydance:

 

[tonyshuman]

Pipp wrote:

tonyshuman wrote:

Well that's weird. Fluriprofen is a NSAID--nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug--like tylenol or ibuprofen. I

Tylenol is not an NSAID. And its not a good drug for rabbits. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is the usual backup plan when there's no Metacam.

No idea about Flurbiprofen, I think that's a different kind of NSAID.


sas :bunnydance:

Oh I wasn't recommending giving it to the bunnies, just to compare what type of drug it is--all it does is reduce pain and swelling. Tylenol (acetaminophen aka peracetamol) is not ok for bunnies. And you're right, it's not technically a NSAID although it acts on the same step of the pain pathway.

However, it seems strange that all the vet gave is an anti-inflammatory when it seems that there's eye infection there. Granted, the eye sounds a bit inflamed with the redness and whatnot, but antibiotic drops of a stronger caliber should probably be used.

 

[danakscully64]

I finally got a good shot of his eye. The lighting in my apartment is on one side and he doesn't always want to come out in the morning. He doesn't stay still either

 

[danakscully64]

I know the medication is an anti-inflammatory. I still haven't used it, I'm afraid it's going to hurt him or irritate the eye more. When I go in for a recheck on Friday, I'll ask about doing a culture on it.

If you were in my situation, would you use the medication?

 

[danakscully64]

He has a little nose discharge too.

 

[tonyshuman]

I don't think it will harm the eye, if it's a solution that's made for eyes. It looks to me like he might have a URI, since the nose discharge is a bit yellow.