Ocular abscess in a rabbit

Re: Ocular abscess in a rabbit

Stephen Courtney — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:29:52 GMT

I would avoid systemic steroids in rabbits, they are massively immunosuppressive and could make things much worse - E cuniculi can affect CNS and renal tissue as well. I tend to use steroids systemically only in bunnies that seem to be dying anyway.

I would recommend topical steroids and a 3-4 week course of fenbendazole, with a cautious prognosis for the eye. it would also be worth seeking advice from an exotics vet, they are often very helpful over the phone or via email - with luck one will chip in before too long!

Re: Ocular abscess in a rabbit

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:26:25 GMT

[quote user="Emma Middleton"]Will check the tear ducts next time although might be tricky to properly assess their patency without sedation/GA.[/quote]

If you put some local anaesthetic drops in the eye, most rabbits tolerate concious flushing of the tear ducts really well. I just use a 22g intravenous canula (minus needle obviously!)

E cuniculi often causes lens damage, including rupture. If this has already happened then IMO enucleation is indicated.

Re: Ocular abscess in a rabbit

Emma Middleton — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 21:10:59 GMT

[quote user="Richard Fox"]There was a previous post here on vet surgeon about this [/quote]

Thanks for pointing this out, I had missed this thread.

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Has the bunny had any steroids?[/quote]

I started it on Maxitrol drops when I saw it a few days ago. I guess systemic steroids may be worth a try if it's still not improving when I see it next...

[quote user="Busybee"]Anything from the nose?[/quote]

Nothing from the nose. Will check the tear ducts next time although might be tricky to properly assess their patency without sedation/GA.

Re: Ocular abscess in a rabbit

Busybee — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:59:37 GMT

[quote user="Emma Middleton"]Another thing - now the left eye (pictured) is very red and has a white discharge.[/quote]

My bunny knowledge is limited! But I would support the E. caniculi idea. It might also be an idea to check the tear ducts? Especially if you're starting to get white discharge from the eye. Anything from the nose?

Re: Ocular abscess in a rabbit

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:44:17 GMT

Has the bunny had any steroids? I know in humans with visceral larva migrans with toxocara they give high doses of steroids. I imagine the pathology in the eye would be very similar.

Re: Ocular abscess in a rabbit

Richard Fox — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:16:16 GMT

90% sure it will be caused by E. Cuniculi.

There was a previous post here on vet surgeon about this - let me find it...

Edit: http://www.vetsurgeon.org/forums/t/7487.aspx