What are the common diseases rabbits get with their eyes?
Diseases of rabbits’ eyes include:
- Chronic conjunctivitis. The rabbit has a clear or purulent eye discharge. The eyelids are swollen and the conjunctiva is red. The flow of discharge from the eye may cause severe loss of hair from the inner eye downwards. This would need veterinary treatment, as well as checking on the ventilation in the hutch to avoid draughts, excessive ammonia from urine or other irritants. Hay dust can also cause this condition.
- Myxomatosis. This viral disease, that can be prevented by vaccination, causes a purulent eye infection.
- Corneal opacities. The front of the eye becomes 'cloudy'. This sometimes occurs in Dutch and New Zealand White breeds.
- Eyelid abnormalities. The edge of the upper eyelid is 'puckered', and this may be inherited or be the result of infection at an early age.
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