My Bunny...

[Weedy]

Right, I've got a male albino lionhead x something else rabbit who's just over a year old.

On Sunday we noticed the fur around his eye was wet, and although there's no coloured discharge I was a bit worried. Yesterday there was no change, still wet but no coloured discharge and when I tried to give him some apple (his all time favourite) he just sat there looking miserable.

I've just been out there for the second time today (after filling his food/water this morning) and his food's untouched and he's just sitting in his little "bedroom". I tried to tempt him with apple, but he just nudged my hand away.

I'm really worried, and I'm not sure whether he's got an infected eye or something else? Anyone know what could be wrong?

If he's still not eating by Thursday I'm going to book him in with a vet (haven't got him registered up here yet, so this could be expensive)

Weedy (and Jeremy)
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<CBT passed 16th Sept 2007><Theory Test passed 11th Oct 2007><Practical Test passed 19th Apr 2008>
OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(

[-Savage-]

you could try one of those pet insurance people? they would pay for any vets bills, and they work our cheap enough, i think some are only £8 a month for a dog, so a bunny should be cheaper.
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[Weedy]

Thanks, I'm gonna get him on one of those, but that doesn't solve the problem of what's wrong with him
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<CBT passed 16th Sept 2007><Theory Test passed 11th Oct 2007><Practical Test passed 19th Apr 2008>
OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(

[treesey200]

I would get him down to the vet and get him checked over. He may only need some eye drops or tablets to make him better. I dont think it should be too expensive to get him looked at.

Let us no how u get on

H
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[Mr.Everready]

pm Stinky, he'll sort you out.
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[stinkwheel]

Sounds like an eye infection which would need antibiotic drops.

Could also be a problem with the back teeth overgrowing which can put pressure on the tear duct. I've seen a few lionheads with tooth problems due to them not meeting up properly.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Weedy]

Thanks Stink....Puts my mind at rest knowing it's nothing "serious" but still worrying about him because he's not eating much at all

Do you think it's worth trying salt water to clean his eye, or would you just take him to a vet?
____________________
<CBT passed 16th Sept 2007><Theory Test passed 11th Oct 2007><Practical Test passed 19th Apr 2008>
OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(

[stinkwheel]

If it's not eating, I'd take it to the vets before it gets itself in a state. They sometimes get a respiratory infection too (which rabbit owners call 'snuffles' a cutsie name for a nasty mycoplasma pneumonia).

I wouldn't expect an eye infection by itself to cause it to stop eating, impacted molar teeth could though. Definately worth checking it doesn't have 'snuffles' too though.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Weedy]

He's eating his food (those all-in-one nugget things) but not very much and not very often...So it could be the tooth thing Thing is I'm now not off until Easter Sunday

Can't get him to a vet until next week now
____________________
<CBT passed 16th Sept 2007><Theory Test passed 11th Oct 2007><Practical Test passed 19th Apr 2008>
OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(

[stinkwheel]

Check out the surgery times. Most vets do some at odd times. Our evening surgery finishes at 7pm so people can come after work.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Weedy]

Cool, will do Thanks.

Let you guys know how we get on.

Good news is I took him some apple and he had a nibble at it out of my hand, so although it's not much, I know he is capable of eating small amounts.

Anything soft I can give him (instead of those nuggets) that won't give him the runs?
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<CBT passed 16th Sept 2007><Theory Test passed 11th Oct 2007><Practical Test passed 19th Apr 2008>
OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(

[ZRX61]

I'd slap it between a couple of layer of pastry, bake it for 40 minutes at 325deg & see how that turns out

[Willow]

That sounds just like my old rabbit, she did this on a regular basis .. they were latter refered to as 'sandy's episodes'. They never quite worked out what was wrong with her at the vets but they did give her some injections (cant remeber what now, while back) and that perked her up no end . The fact that the vets refered to her as a druggy, as she kinda went on a high for a few months after it was a little worring. But just take him down to the vets, better be on the safe side
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[mr_pete]

What stink said is the most likely cause. We have had four rabbits (currently have two) and both the larger ones have had "runny eye", which were both caused by tooth spurs which just needed filing down.

Rabbits stomachs "should not stop", and need to be kept ticking over. A rabbit with dental pain/annoyance may not eat, which can rapidy cause other issues - and we've had a couple of ours had to be given jabs to "restart" digestion and get them eating.

Go to vet, get teeth examined/filed, and if the bugger isn't eating (at any point in future) get it checked

Also, buy lots of alfalfa hay, and chew treats - they will help keep the teeth down. Variety in texture diet and intake is key

And as also mentioned, most vets will do "out of hours" things - ours do, with emergency numbers - and yes they charge £15 for the fun of getting them out, but it's that or the animals comfort, so a rather small price to pay really.
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[Weedy]

Well, I've been watching him regularly over the last day or two and he is now eating his nugget food and one of the little "stick" treats that I put in there. Eating his apple again so that's good

His eye is drying up a little, still not completely right but the fact he's eating again has eased my mind a little.

I've tried feeding him a variety of foods, but he doesn't eat it. He's a fussy bugger

Just wondering, what's the possibility of "hay dust" causing a runny eye?
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<CBT passed 16th Sept 2007><Theory Test passed 11th Oct 2007><Practical Test passed 19th Apr 2008>
OWNED: 2008 Aprilia Pegaso Strada CURRENT: Bikeless :'(